Before I begin today’s post, one SHTFblog reader wrote that he’s looking for the best deal on a 6500-8000 watt generator and wanted reader input. Quality and price are both important. If you have thoughts, please post them in the comments section.
Onward.
You think gas and oil is expensive now? Well, today Tata Motors, Inc. of India is introducing their new, ultra-cheap car. Of course, they’re only the first to do what every other auto-maker is hoping to do, build a really cheap car for the rapidly emerging middle-class in China and India. Billions of people, SHTF homies - BILLIONS!
Tata’s new car will roll off car lots for ONLY $2,500! How can this be done? Well, it’s small, has a hollowed out steering-wheel shaft, a tiny trunk, one windshield wiper, no power steering, no radio, and a rear-mounted engine that’s not much bigger than that of a riding lawn mower. At these costs it’ll almost certainly fail U.S. and European safety and emission standards - viva la global warming! But Tata doesn’t care, they’re marketing to people in India.
This ride will have a top speed of 75 mph, but drive it too long at that speed and you’ll quickly wear out the cheap wheel bearings that are strong enough for 45 mph, but not beyond that. Reducing the car’s weight allowed them to use a smaller engine with 30-35 horsepower.
What does all of this have to do with SHTF? More people, more cars, more petroleum consumption, higher prices on everything, death, mayhem, AND destruction! Well . . . maybe not quite, but with everyone in third would countries seeking a U.S. standard of living, it just can’t happen. If the entire population consumed as much as the average American it’d take the resources of 2.5 Earths. Combine this with predictions that over the next 25 years, global population is expected to grow by another 2 BILLION. There simply isn’t enough to go around, something, someone, HAS to give.
Prepare for a decline in the American standard of living. Be prepared to go with less. Lower your materialistic desires. Anything you can do to decrease your reliance on fossil fuels should be embraced for your own financial health, the environment’s health and your SHTF preparations.
As a side note, tensions with Iran continue to heat up, see here.
- Ranger Man
7 responses so far ↓
1 GeologyJoe // Jan 10, 2008 at 8:21 am
Ah yes. The Indian version of the Yugo.
The TaTa’s will only be available for purchase in pairs.
LOL get it? TaTa’s…Pairs.. oh i crack me up.
2 the texan // Jan 10, 2008 at 11:07 am
Honda make a good quality generator. And they are quiet.
3 hyrysc // Jan 10, 2008 at 12:10 pm
most things with a subaru-robin engine work well, especially if converted over to propane since it is common to store 250 - 1000 gallons of propane, not so common (and alot more expensive) to store petro.
4 ryan // Jan 10, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Yeah the TATA being named TATA is pretty amusing. I think a rear engine is pretty much a suicide mobile for a little crunchie like that. However they are cheap so if they come here maybe I will get one. Also the part about lowering material expectations (atleast in the area of fossil fuels) is very good. My grandpa drove a 70’s lincon with a backseat the size of a hot tub that probably measured in gallons per mile with its 455 engine. I will probably end up with a farm truck and a little commuter car because of gas prices.
5 Derelict // Jan 10, 2008 at 9:26 pm
It reminds me of the original peoples car the vw beetle. Not the look of course but the idea. I bet this would make a great little off road mod just like the original beetle. I would love to get one of these for $2500 replace the crappy bearings, cut up the body for clearance and weight ala the baja beetle and take it off road.. I bet its a hoot.
6 Skip // Jan 10, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Look at www.utterpower.com. It is all about slow speed diesel engines that we can work on ourselves. Consider a stationary diesel engine, get an ST generator head, run it on veggie oil, diesel, or bio diesel. Many of these engines have been running for 40 plus years and are still going strong! They also sip fuel, not gulp it.
Skip in Kansas City Missouri
7 Chris // Jan 11, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Buy a bicycle and a good pair of shoes.
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