EDITORIAL: China's warning signs

Sometimes, I cringe; sometimes, I just listen and wonder. These past few months have given us all a lot to think about in the automotive space, and it's clear now that the coming years will keep the foot down on the accelerator when it comes to the dramatic changes we've experienced this past decade. One thing that stood out to me in various recent conversations is that there's a widening gulf opening between Chinese automakers and the rest of the world. This isn't exactly news, and this column isn't meant to monger any fears. It's just a bit of off-the-cuff reporting that sheds a bit of light on the level of the challenges we face.

As you can read in Chris Clonts' excellent report further in this issue about the warning that Voltaiq's CEO gave at The Battery Show this October, the U.S. is in serious danger of falling well behind Chinese competitors in the EV battery race (Michael Robinette tackles similar ground through a tariff lens in this month's Supplier Eye). But that message was obvious to anyone who meandered through the expo hall during the show. The spacious Huntington Place (neé Cobo Hall) was filled by more battery suppliers and tech companies than I could count (organizers said it was over 1,150), many with a Chinese connection. Those of us who remember the busy days when the Detroit Auto Show covered a similar footprint were astonished by the variety on display, and almost all of it was EV-focused. The Battery Show proved that there's good battery development work happening in North America and Europe, but it was hard to ignore just how present China and Chinese-related companies are in the electrification mission.