Goofy- Toyota is not a high end manufacturer of cars. They make...

Goofy- Toyota is not a high end manufacturer of cars. They make average cars, that are reliable, very well. Toyota aren't class leading - most of their cars are under powered, with average dynamics and aren't particularly beautiful. In australia they do very well selling corolla's, hilux, Prado and land cruiser. Their cars are boring, if i'm looking for a good looking, luxurious high performance car Toyota isn't in the mix. In Europe they just don't exist - they have 1.8% of the German market. Toyota aren't particularly great innovators either - the Prius is a half arsed go a making an EV/hybrid. It took Tesla to really get some excitement into the EV sector (like Apple did with phones) and show people what EV technology can really become.

To Ausheds point, yes i agree the chinese have the magnet making market at the moment but to my previous point the americans and europeans are very patriotic - i just can't see them sitting back and letting china control a very large percentage of a cars manufacturing process (the motor itself). Just because China has the market today doesn't mean once EV become very common that others won't join in - I've spent quite a bit of time in Germany and their can do attitude to manufacturing (which is the foundation of the economy) is 'why can't we make that here' - something we've lost in Australia. You could be right - not doubt about it but like i said before - no one has a crystal ball.