China's Rising Car Production

If you haven't read Harold James' article on the front page - "Is China the New America?" - it's well worth your time.

Read it, then ponder this:

China in 2008 surpassed the United States to become the world’s second largest auto-making nation, and in 2009 is set to displace Japan as the planet’s largest car producer, according to iSuppli Corp.

China in 2008 manufactured 9.3 million cars, while the United States built 8.7 million. In 2009, China will build 8.7 million autos, compared to 7.6 million for Japan.