I thought the point of capitalism was to compete.
this post was submitted on 05 Sep 2026
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Something something free market.
That argument is only valid when it benefits us.
The degree to which pro-capitalists are right about the benefits of competition is exactly the degree to which actual capitalists pay politicians to stifle it.
Of course they did. They know that they can't compete. Chinese EV and battery tech would take out the whole industry.
Are Chinese made cars that good, that the auto industry is scared? I say bring them on.
It's more that American cars are that bad, or at least that they're that expensive. New cars keep getting more expensive as the oligarchy realizes that they can soak people on financing.
They are also getting more expensive to repair and mechanics are quitting dealerships in droves because they don't want to a) buy specialty tools to do b) repairs that are needlessly time consuming and c) happen way too frequently to e) be paid a fraction of the repair time.
So, yeah, if someone was selling cars as good as a 2000-era Honda at a 2000-era price, they'd destroy the American market.
Make it so. 2000-era Honda sounds amazing, actually. The market will bounce back, even if the current USA manufacturers die before it does. We can't tiptoe to appease thr GMCs of the world.
I don't think "good" is the problem. China can pump them out and undercut the bloated costs that US companies charge, cutting into their bottom line. That's all they care about.
Someone on slashdot (I’m really old) had a link to a yt video showing the Chevy Bolt production line and likened it to a grandmother knitting stuff for Etsy.
"most desirable by the consumer" and "good" are the same thing in a capitalistic system.
I'd prefer protectionism to the extent of making small, electric cars more attractive than all other cars; and to the extent of making public transit, pedestrian- & bicycle-friendly architecture more attractive than all cars.
You wouldn't need protectionism to do any of that.