Japan is the leader in hybrid and electric cars, but China has the main advantage

Although Japanese brands such as Toyota and Nissan are the leaders in hybrid vehicles, it appears that China has the biggest advantage in this race for developing hybrid cars. Why is that?

Because China controls 97 percent of rare earth metals production, such as lanthanum, which is used in building batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles. This means that Toyota which builds the top-selling Prius, Nissan which is going to introduce by the end of the year the Leaf electric car
Read Article

dlin - 8/18/2010 4:04:44 PM

+2 Boost

LOL.... China is trying to secure/expand those supply, but it's all under US's or Russia's control. World hasn't changed in that aspect, yet.

Larrybel2000 - 8/18/2010 5:34:44 PM

0 Boost

Thank god the rare earth isn't in the U.S. The tree huggers wouldn't let us dig it up. Wait a minute, we have to dispose of it once it's used. Tree huggers where are you. HELP.

Larry B.
Key West.

knowitall1985 - 8/18/2010 6:23:02 PM

+2 Boost

So buy it from them.

Nemesis07r - 8/18/2010 8:56:02 PM

+1 Boost

"All your rare earth metals belong to us."
-China