China hits the brakes on new car sales
11-02-13, 01:33 AM
#1
Sophomoric Member
Thread Starter
China hits the brakes on new car sales
I got this link from JH Crawford at Carfree. Officials in several Chinese cities are growing concerned about the pollution and congestion caused by skyrocketing rates of car ownership.
https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/to-p...rakes-on-vehic
Excerpts:
https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/to-p...rakes-on-vehic
Excerpts:
Originally Posted by nextcity.org
At 9 p.m. on June 30 last year, the city of Guangzhou caught car sellers and buyers by surprise. The municipal government hastily called a press conference and announced, without warning, that starting the following day only 10,000 cars could be sold per month. The move would be an effort to unclog the city’s roads and clear up its skies, both of which were being choked by a boom in vehicle sales.
Originally Posted by nextcity.org
“The policies are unfair, unreasonable and unsustainable,” wrote Zhao Jian, a transportation expert at Beijing Jiaotong University, in a widely-circulated op-ed for Caixin magazine last year. “The costs for causing the traffic jams are not borne whatsoever by people who already own a car — they are only borne by the new buyers and those not lucky enough to win the auction… Further, while fewer new cars have hit the road over the past year, nothing has been done to limit the use of cars purchased before the regulations.”
Many others appear to share Zhao’s opinions. In a poll conducted this year by Gaishi, a Chinese auto research firm, only two percent of over a thousand transportation experts recommended car-sales regulations as a way to reduce congestion and auto-related air pollution.
“This policy may be effective in curbing the growth of new car ownership in the short run,” says Xiamen University’s Shihe Fu, a leading urban economist. “However, it is likely to be ineffective in the long run as people adjust their behavior to avoid the restrictions. More importantly, there will be no effect on the driving behavior of car owners because they still pay no cost for creating congestion and pollution on the road, so this policy has a very weak effect in curbing congestion and pollution.”
Many others appear to share Zhao’s opinions. In a poll conducted this year by Gaishi, a Chinese auto research firm, only two percent of over a thousand transportation experts recommended car-sales regulations as a way to reduce congestion and auto-related air pollution.
“This policy may be effective in curbing the growth of new car ownership in the short run,” says Xiamen University’s Shihe Fu, a leading urban economist. “However, it is likely to be ineffective in the long run as people adjust their behavior to avoid the restrictions. More importantly, there will be no effect on the driving behavior of car owners because they still pay no cost for creating congestion and pollution on the road, so this policy has a very weak effect in curbing congestion and pollution.”
__________________
"Think Outside the Cage"
Last edited by Roody; 11-02-13 at 01:37 AM.
11-02-13, 02:36 AM
#2
Pedaled too far.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: La Petite Roche
Posts: 12,851
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
Well, I'll cross my fingers for them.
__________________
"He who serves all, best serves himself" Jack London
11-02-13, 03:20 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Turkey
Posts: 50
Bikes: 2011 Trek Madone 3.1 (Red) | Specialized Allez (Tiagra) | Carraro Ride 28 Hybrid (Deore)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It's too late China. Too late.
11-02-13, 04:19 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Turkey
Posts: 50
Bikes: 2011 Trek Madone 3.1 (Red) | Specialized Allez (Tiagra) | Carraro Ride 28 Hybrid (Deore)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Too late to care about environment and pollution. Also I have to say that, it is a stupid idea to become both the most productive country (with 1,5 billion of population) and an activist country for environment, at the same time. China is the factory of the whole earth. No way, they can hit the brakes.
11-02-13, 04:22 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Seville, Spain
Posts: 4,403
Bikes: Brompton M6R, mountain bikes, Circe Omnis+ tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 146 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
Too late to care about environment and pollution. Also I have to say that, it is a stupid idea to become both the most productive country (with 1,5 billion of population) and an activist country for environment, at the same time. China is the factory of the whole earth. No way, they can hit the brakes.
11-02-13, 04:31 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Turkey
Posts: 50
Bikes: 2011 Trek Madone 3.1 (Red) | Specialized Allez (Tiagra) | Carraro Ride 28 Hybrid (Deore)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
11-02-13, 06:26 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Seville, Spain
Posts: 4,403
Bikes: Brompton M6R, mountain bikes, Circe Omnis+ tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 146 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
It's not "too late" to take steps to clean up the environment.
It's a good thing the British, for example, didn't throw up their hands and accept the staus quo after the Great Smog of 1952. That incident led to clean air legislation (the Various Powers Act of 1954 and the Clean Air Acts of 1956 and 1968) that has led to much cleaner air in London and other cities in the U.K. In the United States, incidents like the Cuyahoga River fire led to the Clean Water Act of 1972. What if we'd listened to naysayers like you?
Sometimes the darkest hour is just before the dawn. Don't be so pessimistic.
It's a good thing the British, for example, didn't throw up their hands and accept the staus quo after the Great Smog of 1952. That incident led to clean air legislation (the Various Powers Act of 1954 and the Clean Air Acts of 1956 and 1968) that has led to much cleaner air in London and other cities in the U.K. In the United States, incidents like the Cuyahoga River fire led to the Clean Water Act of 1972. What if we'd listened to naysayers like you?
Sometimes the darkest hour is just before the dawn. Don't be so pessimistic.
11-02-13, 06:46 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Turkey
Posts: 50
Bikes: 2011 Trek Madone 3.1 (Red) | Specialized Allez (Tiagra) | Carraro Ride 28 Hybrid (Deore)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It's not about being optimistic or pessimistic. It's about what you see, it's about what you observe, it's about the reality. Remember China's bicycle era? In every TV channel, we were used to see millions of cycling people, for every purpose. I'm pretty sure you do remember. Now, what about bicycles? Nobody cares about bicycles. If there are 1,4 billion people living in that country, at least 400 millions of them are above the living standarts of American's average. They need new cars, they need new houses, they need new smartphones, they need everything else that Japans, Americans or Europeans have and they have the capability of owning these things. They have money. Even Chinese government cannot stop 'em of having what they want. Capitalism lies behind. You let them produce, you let them consume.
So, stop giving irrelevant examples and stop accusing me of being naysayers or whatsoever. Open CCTV or something and see what China looks like.
As the world population growth keeps its momentum, China is supposed to produce and continue contributing most of the pollution, caused by production.
So, stop giving irrelevant examples and stop accusing me of being naysayers or whatsoever. Open CCTV or something and see what China looks like.
As the world population growth keeps its momentum, China is supposed to produce and continue contributing most of the pollution, caused by production.
11-02-13, 07:58 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Turkey
Posts: 50
Bikes: 2011 Trek Madone 3.1 (Red) | Specialized Allez (Tiagra) | Carraro Ride 28 Hybrid (Deore)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
11-02-13, 08:07 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Odenton, MD
Posts: 660
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't think China is interested in the environment for the sake of the environment. I think they're worried about choking on their air. I don't think restricting auto sales will help long term, but for emergency actions it's probably one of the few things they can do to effect change immediately.
11-02-13, 09:49 AM
#14
New Orleans
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,794
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 157 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Some of that might be because their economy is slowing.
10,000 new cars per month-for one city-not much of a restriction, but it looks good in print and can be used to explain a decrease in car sales-sales that might have dropped because of a cooling economy.
10,000 new cars per month-for one city-not much of a restriction, but it looks good in print and can be used to explain a decrease in car sales-sales that might have dropped because of a cooling economy.
11-02-13, 10:12 AM
#15
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times
in
1,286 Posts
While China may be trying to put brakes on car sales. Over here in Canada the opposite is happening. SUV and pick-up truck sales are at a record highs.
We have more paved roads then ever before and yet there are more jacked up 4x4's driving around then ever before.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/auto...july-1.1360165
We have more paved roads then ever before and yet there are more jacked up 4x4's driving around then ever before.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/auto...july-1.1360165
11-02-13, 10:30 AM
#16
Pedaled too far.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: La Petite Roche
Posts: 12,851
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
For the Chinese. Efforts like this are good starts, but it's an uphill battle I'm not sure I'd want to ride my bike when the air looks like this.
__________________
"He who serves all, best serves himself" Jack London
11-02-13, 11:05 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Seville, Spain
Posts: 4,403
Bikes: Brompton M6R, mountain bikes, Circe Omnis+ tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 146 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
Meanwhile, here in Spain, the government keeps coming up with schemes to stimulate car sales, like paying folks €1,000 if they'll trade in their gas guzzler for a more fuel efficient model. There aren't many takers, though, and bikes are outselling cars here and throughout Europe.
https://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2...utselling-cars
11-02-13, 11:08 AM
#18
Banned
Looks like the Chinese government is now starting to feel the flip side of their booming economic success. Environmental damage produced by motor vehicles pales in comparison to their unrestrained usage of coal for power and heat generation.
11-02-13, 11:23 AM
#19
New Orleans
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,794
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 157 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
My suspicion is the new car sales restriction 10,000/month for one city? not significant and maybe just a sign that demand is slacking off a bit.
One nasty point-notice how quickly folks who HAD to use bikes-DUMP THEM- when their circumstances improve.
The hope here that one day the USA will "go bike"-will only happen if our economy tanks.
Bet these chinese would be quick to leave these "high density walk or ride to work cities store etc" if they could afford to.
Last edited by phoebeisis; 11-02-13 at 11:28 AM.
11-02-13, 11:34 AM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Seville, Spain
Posts: 4,403
Bikes: Brompton M6R, mountain bikes, Circe Omnis+ tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 146 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
Air pollution from cars is still significant, though, and what about the congestion? With both China and India closing in on 1 1/2 billion people, something has to give.
11-02-13, 11:42 AM
#22
Banned
I suspect that road congestion is the main factor in the limiting new cars sales, and on the environmental side, it is a low hanging fruit when compared in trying to rein in industrial and personal usage of coal.
11-02-13, 12:59 PM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Seville, Spain
Posts: 4,403
Bikes: Brompton M6R, mountain bikes, Circe Omnis+ tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 146 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
Another factor to consider: Will there be enough natural resources to build that many vehicles and sustain that many people living an American-style lifestyle with several cars per family? I'm sorry, it just doesn't add up to me. Perhaps you or some of the others can explain to me how this is going to work out.
11-02-13, 01:36 PM
#24
Banned
Another factor to consider: Will there be enough natural resources to build that many vehicles and sustain that many people living an American-style lifestyle with several cars per family? I'm sorry, it just doesn't add up to me. Perhaps you or some of the others can explain to me how this is going to work out.
11-02-13, 02:21 PM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Seville, Spain
Posts: 4,403
Bikes: Brompton M6R, mountain bikes, Circe Omnis+ tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 146 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
(post WWII). Isn't it a bit late to be getting into this game?