In the news today: the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) and the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) have signed a cooperation agreement.
According to the press release, the agreement will allow both sides "to exchange information on automotive industry trends in China and Europe and, particularly in China, to work more systematically on a coordinated approach regarding regulatory developments of common concern."
Now, that can mean a lot of things, but the word that comes to my mind is homologation. I'm thinking across-the-board standards that could result in a few new developments. Chinese cars that could be exported and sold in Europe. European-brand cars that could be built in China and then sold in Europe. And since you can buy a European-built car in North America, could the ultimate step be that not only will all of our T-shirts and kitchen goods and toys sold in Canada be made in China, but all of our cars, as well?
People used to ask if cars made in China would ever come to Canada. The question now is -- when?