That’s the question examined by this article published by the Mises Institute. The article draws comparisons to the housing bubble that burst around 2008, triggering the Great Recession: Artificially low interest rates resulting from massive amounts of new credit expansion encouraging the purchase of consumer durable goods financed via cheap credit.
Instead of learning from the mistakes that sent shock waves throughout most of the planet, the Federal Reserve has continued with its expansionist policies. Since 2009, the money supply has increased by four trillion, while the federal funds rate has remained at or near zero percent. Consequently, the housing bubble has been replaced with several other bubbles, including one in the automotive industry.
…
The auto bubble has yet to burst, but its negative effects are already starting to gradually appear. For one, delinquencies on car loans have increased by nearly 120 percent, from just over 1 percent in 2010 to 2.62 percent in 2014. Since cars rapidly depreciate in value, this number is projected to spike.
Of course, the auto industry also suffered major losses in the last recession (remember Cash 4 Clunkers, auto bailouts, Government Motors?), and signs are pointing to another freefall.
Keep this in mind as NC lawmakers and economic developers seek to bribe a major auto manufacturer to NC with millions of your tax dollars.
Leave a Comment