China takes the Prius hostage - Polidicks

[img]http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/gizmodo/2009/09/gizmodo-gallery-poster1.jpg[/img] [url=http://gizmodo.com/5646091/valuable-materials-for-electric-cars-from-china-refused-for-japans-manufacturers/]Source[/url] [release]China Withholds Valuable Materials Needed for Electric Cars From JapanUnless China and Japan can sort out their shit and the exportation of rare earth elements can proceed into Japan, the future of electric cars could be thrown into jeopardy. Production of cars like the Prius could slow down dangerously. According to the NY Times, a tiff between China and Japan over the capture of a Chinese fishing trawler captain after he was caught fishing in Japanese waters (and then collided into two Coast Guard ships) has escalated to the point where China is reportedly refusing to export the sought-after elements for use in electric car manufacturing. Cars such as Toyota's Prius use 1kg of neodymium and up to 15kg of lanthanum (pictured) per unit in production, and with China holding 90 per cent of the world's neodymium under lock and key, Japan will be wanting to sort out this "business matter" fairly quickly. According to China's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economics, nothing amiss has happened—but if Japan doesn't get anywhere with their talks, they may be forced to take it up with the World Trade Organization.[/release] [img]http://images.salon.com/img/new/ID_salon.gif[/img] [url=http://www.salon.com/technology/how_the_world_works/2010/09/23/china_takes_the_prius_hostage/index.html]Source[/url] [release]Never mind all those panda-semen-extraction-gone-wrong conspiracy theories. If the New York Times' ace China correspondent Keith Bradsher is to be believed, China has has halted exports of rare earth elements to Japan, in protest of its neighbor's detention of a Chinese fishing boat captain. A spokesman for China's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economics is denying that any such trade embargo exists, but Bradsher's article makes a convincing case that some kind of message has come down from on high to restrict the flow of minerals. Regular readers of HTWW will understand the significance of the move. Rare earth elements play an extraordinarily important role in the high tech, clean energy economy -- as well as advanced military technology such as missile guidance systems. The Prius, for example, depends heavily on the rare earth elements neodymium and lanthanum. Last year Reuters reported that each Prius motor "requires 1 kilogram (2.2 lb) of neodymium, and each battery uses 10 to 15 kg (22-33 lb) of lanthanum." China controls 90 percent of the production and processing of neodymium. Japan, Bradsher writes, is sensitive to blockades of key industrial resources, harking back to the U.S. oil embargo that played such a critical role in Japan's decision to attack Pearl Harbor. But the U.S. is also bound to pay close attention. At a time when the U.S. government is stepping up criticism of China for artificially depressing the value of the yuan, and concern about how the country may be flouting international trade rules to grab market share for its solar panel and windmill industries is growing, the indication that China is prepared to use its rare earth dominance as a diplomatic club is alarming. The panda is throwing its weight around.[/release]

China's going to become the next US, only worse.

The Prius sucks anyways.

[QUOTE=16bit;25017535]The Prius sucks anyways.[/QUOTE] Yeah, I fucking hate those things. The only vehicular I hate more are tractor trailers and vans.

[QUOTE=Acesarge;25018417]Yeah, I fucking hate those things. The only vehicular I hate more are tractor trailers and vans.[/QUOTE] I was driving behind a tractor carrying cement blocks today. Unrestrained. Up-hill. Scariest thing I've ever done

[QUOTE=Canuhearme?;25017342]China's going to become the next US, only worse.[/QUOTE] Especially against Japan since I doubt China has forgotten what Japan did during the second world war.

[QUOTE=Swebonny;25019014]Especially against Japan since I doubt China has forgotten what Japan did during the second world war.[/QUOTE] id like to think japan got its come-uppins

The prius does more damage than it does good. So china can take it hostage and do whatever it pleases...

The Prius only sells because people want to pretend like they're saving the environment. It doesn't get anywhere near the mileage it needs to justify it's price. On long trips it just turns into a car with a gasoline engine dragging an extremely heavy battery pack.

[QUOTE=16bit;25017535]The Prius sucks anyways.[/QUOTE] Actually it doesn't.

[QUOTE=DrLuke;25023502]Actually it doesn't.[/QUOTE] For its purpose it does. It's actually proven that the materials and process to create such a battery is more polluting than your average 4x4 gas guzzler over the course of both their cars lifetime.

[QUOTE=Canuhearme?;25017342]China's going to become the next US, only worse.[/QUOTE] Worse? Haha, ok

The prius is a total marketing scam anyway You want good gas efficiency get a Volkswagen diesel that doesn't cost $4000 every few years to replace the battery

CHINA STRONG [img]http://www.a.com/[/img]

They're doing the world a favor

Neodymium is used to make extremely strong permanent magnets, which are used in high efficiency powerful electric motors. If you've never played with a neodymium magnet, you're missing out. China has most of the world's Neodymium, last I checked, and if they halt exportation or slow it down this is bad news for the rest of the world.

And the China v. Japan shit-slinging contest continues.

oh nooo how will dirty mike and the boys be able to have soup kitchens now

ITT: Prius myths.

[QUOTE=The golden;25028048]The metal in the battery has to be mined, which is dangerous and dirty. It then has to be shipped across the world to be refined. Then shipped across the world to be given to [B]Toyota[/B]. Then the car parts and metal have to be shipped across the world. Then the car has to be shipped across the world again, so it can be sold. Also the batteries have to be replaced every [B]5 [/B]years or so. That's almost 800+ lbs (EACH) of extremely hazardous chemicals. (Battery acid) being tossed by millions of people every [B]5 [/B]years. -[/QUOTE] sounds like you just described about every car ever made, excluding the bold

[QUOTE=The golden;25093361]Yeah, but see, any other car can be continuously used for many many years. Beacuse of it's batteries, the Prius has an extremely limited life.[/QUOTE] Hardly. The life expectancy of the batteries have far exceeded expectations. There are many Prius cars out there still running original parts 9+ years after they were built (the Prius only came about in '99 or '00). Even if a battery fails (usually only one or two cells actually), most of the material is recycled or rebuilt into new batteries so the waste is rather negligible.

this means a sure increase in the priuce of electric cars.