[dmoy]

> Have you been to Beijing recently?

Yes, and if you talk to most people, they can't dream of affording a car, let alone in Beijing. It's insanely expensive, not even including the permit[1]. Maybe if you're in Beijing talking to rich people or just looking at the traffic in abject horror, it looks like everyone is buying cars.

China, per capita, has like one fifth or one sixth as many cars as the US. There's like one car per 10 people.

[1] and by permit I don't mean the actual cost of getting a Beijing plate through normal channels (which has like a <0.2% chance of actually working due to the lottery). I mean if you actually want to guarantee that you get a car, be prepared to grease the wheels with lots of money. Shit idk how that even works with Xi Jinpings rampage against corruption, I don't think they've gotten that low of a level yet (still going after higher-ups).

[seanmcdirmid]

Per capita is correct. There are really two Chinas, a richer china that consumes a lot and saves comparatively little, and a commoner class that has no choice but to keep saving.

If you want to get a permit in Beijing and have money, buy a Tesla. The quota for elctric vehicles is higher than for gas, so you see a lot of rich people in Teslas these days, something unthinkable only a couple of years ago.

[bogomipz]

>"... or just looking at the traffic in abject horror"

Yes, it would be this :)