Transformers in China... more than meets the eye?
Just before the Transformers movie came out, Sebastian put up a post about what is wrong with the movie. The problem as he saw it is that a great opportunity was missed: the opportunity to push green technology in this big budget Hollywood film. Let's face it, GM spent lots of money to be featured in the movie, and what cars did they choose to spotlight? A turbocharged Solstice, V8 powered Camaro and a huge behemoth of a pickup truck. I also see a Hummer in the poster above. Note that their biggest star from the show circuit last year, the Volt, was conspicuously missing from the film.
Treehugger blogger Alex P. sent us a link to a story where he pointed out how big Transformers are in China. Apparently, really big... and he doesn't really like the message that the movie gives to the kids there. The auto industry in China is booming, and he feels that it doesn't need any more help in the form of the movie. He also shares a few links to other people making a similar argument. Do any of readers care to comment on this issue? Or, is it a non-issue? Feel free to share your opinion.
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[Source: Treehugger]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Manu Sharma 3:41PM (8/01/2007)
"he doesn't really like the message that the movie gives to the kids there."
So who's at fault here, the kids in China, the movie makers or the globlisation of culture?
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jm99 5:47PM (8/01/2007)
"Let's face it, GM spent lots of money to be featured in the movie..."
Actually, it has been documented in numerous news articles that they did not pay a cent to be featured in the movie, because it was the director's idea for them to be. He approached them and asked them to let the studio feature their products. I would imagine Bay also had a say in what vehicles were used. So, if we are blaming GM for the vehicles featured, then by all means also blame Michael Bay, since he prominently figured in the decisions as well.
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frank78 7:43PM (8/01/2007)
Getting preachy about being green in a movie such as this would have been an awful idea. Just not the right movie.
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LaughingTooHard 6:59PM (8/02/2007)
Um Transformers don't use gasoline, so what is the point? And unless GM starts making Giant Robot versions of their featured cars, how can this be bad?
Say it with me people - movies are not real.
Lusting after a big robot Hummer is not the same as lusting after a real Hummer.
Seesh, I am green weenie but this preachy moron should be more concerned that the message is "Robots come to Earth to get dorky kid laid"
My problem was with the overt sexual overtones and female objectification, which are far more distasteful for young kids than gas guzzling cars.
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GoodCheer 10:11AM (8/02/2007)
The direction taken by the auto industry in China is a very interesting question, and one that I suspect will heavily influence the future for all of us.
I don't know how much Chinese pay for gasoline at the pump, I suppose it comes down to the balance of subsidies and taxes on the various industries there. What is most likely the case is that driving ICE cars in china demands a greater fraction of the average Chinese income (in contrast to the price of gas in America and even Europe).
While exports of American cars will undoubtedly grow as China continues to industrialize and gain in wealth, I suspect that unburdened as they are with stagnant and risk-averse major auto makers, BEVs will become the norm, rather than the exception on Chinese streets. Driven by demand, I suspect BEV development in China will outpace the meager efforts dedicated to it in countries where people are still rich enough to buy the diminishing supplies of gasoline.
If I'm right, then while GM is still saying 'no adequate battery technology exists' and Tesla has not yet been able to get prices out of the stratosphere, we'll start to see BEV exports from China. At first they will be a bit rough around the edges, but with a limitless domestic market and probably significant support of a centralized government they will do just what Japanese automakers did in the 70's. Don't get me wrong, I'm very excited about both the Volt and the Tesla, but I give the Volt about a 35-40% chance of ever being made, and I can't afford a Tesla Roadster or WhiteStar.
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koopa 11:02AM (8/03/2007)
How lame would it be for kids if megatron was a prius? Transformers is not a documentary, it's a freakin action sci-fi. Is this guy gonna post about how the fusion reactor powering the batmobile can't be good for gotham's environment?
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