China and oil demand

[snoproblem]

An article posted in 'Green Wheels ' seems to suggest China is looking to encourage the development of more fuel-efficient vehicles, including hybrids. Evidently the Chinese share many of the same concerns about foreign oil dependence and pollution that we do. You just know a potential market that large will make its influence felt.

...and here I thought China would be part of the problem re: oil prices, etc. Shows what I know! :?

[The General]

They do not want to repeat the mistakes of others. The country will go from approx. 500 000 cars to 10 000 000 cars over the next 5 years! The numbers are not exact, but imagine the pollution and traffic increase!

[snoproblem]

Has anyone noticed how far the price of crude has dropped lately? It was down around 43 dollars a barrel, last time I looked. I thought it would stay high because of Bush's re-election. Instead, we have the opposite, thus far! :?

[The General]

The US decided to slowly stock up on fuel. Now that their reserves are high enough, they can drive down the price because of lower demand.

Good thinking.