Yes, but the dynamics of demand is rapidly changing. Look at the micromobility sector - there was nothing 5ish years ago, and now scooter and ebikes are everywhere.

the only thing keeping Chinese vehicles out are trade restrictions. Look at Europe: VW is in dire straights because they can’t compete with Chinese EVs.

I don’t think it’s market research though said research can look like this. The messaging doesn’t seem to line up.

Honestly, if I was a Ford shareholder, I would be dumping my shares as fast as possible - there’s no coming back from an open admission of defeat like that. He flat out said they can’t win, the barriers of entry are too high, and the key one (software like Xiaomi) doesn’t even really exist yet.

As others point out, the western automakers did this to themselves. Hoo boy did China out capitalism. Ironic

You are all worried about being drafted and the inequity of Baron getting off the hook like this (whether it’s a true headline or not). Just do what Ted Nugent did, and shit yourself for 3 day and get a mental illness waiver!

Stop there though and don’t molest underage girls

You’re probably right in some cases, but I think it’s more of a way of people dealing with their disbelief that it’s come to this. There’s a lot of ways to process the current insanity; dark humour is possibly the most accessible though.