Baby You Can Drive My Car

In China, before the ""opening up" of the late 1970's, it used to be said‎ that all anyone needed in the way of "luxury" possessions were a Wristwatch; a Typewriter; and a Bicycle‎.

Later, until the '90's, the objects of one's desire became a Washing Machine‎; a motorized Scooter; and a Television.

The must-have "wants" of an increasingly prosperous Chine‎se populace of the 1990's were Personal Computers and anything related to personal fashion and vanity.

The booming Chinese economy of the new millennium saw an economic great leap forward, propelling many into an income bracket capable of such aspirational possessions as a personal Automobile and a home of one's own -- typically a Condominium property.

Immediately following the highly successful and visible 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics -- the nation's big "coming-out" party -- China, was caught in the vortex of the West's economic downturn; with much Chinese investment situated in those countries,the hit to the PRC was inevitable.

But China, like the U.S. and other countries, received their own bailout funds; and with Chinese personal wealth not as severely impacted as their counterparts in the U.S., they went on a spending spree -- purchasing property in the U.S. -- most notably in depressed housing markets; in many instances, the buyers being young couples, purchasing U.S. starter homes; to be leased-out until their own children are of college-age; attending U.S.schools and living in such properties.

And now, with measures in China enacted 2 years ago to avoid a speculative real estate bubble burst (as the U.S. experienced‎ in 2008) being relaxed, the most well-off Chinese are again buying 2nd and even 3rd homes for  investment and personal use. 

Add to that all the young 20-30 somethings‎ -- offspring of China's 1 Child Policy -- and you've got a new generation of Chinese, not so concerned with the traditional habit of frugality and saving, but rather, more concerned with the latest trend; and all that is required to feed it...

...But this little guy? All he's thinking is how much he can get on trade for his move-up from a Bicycle to 4-wheels!