Systemic Fragility, Risk & Path Dependence

An exploration of how automotive leasing transformed the car from a durable asset into a subscription service, reshaping industry economics, consumer behavior, and the global vehicle lifecycle.

Tracing the origins of modern automotive leasing from GM's 1992 innovation, exploring how financial engineering transformed the car from a durable asset into a subscription service.

Analyzing the systemic fragility created by technological monocultures, innovation debt, and path dependence, with lessons for the electric vehicle transition.

Exploring the invisible frameworks of patents, standards, and supply chains that determine which automotive technologies succeed, using examples like the ICE ecosystem and charging standards.

An exploration of how superior automotive technologies fail in the marketplace due to ecosystem factors, path dependence, and industrial power structures, using examples like the rotary engine and EV1.

Examining how technically superior automotive technologies like the Wankel rotary engine and EV1 failed due to ecosystem factors beyond engineering excellence.

Strategies for protecting privacy and maintaining control over your car's data and features.

How subscription models are changing car ownership, turning features into ongoing services.

The battle over vehicle software and data access, where manufacturers lock out owners and independent repair shops.

The hidden economy powered by car data, where your driving habits fuel AI training, urban planning, and targeted advertising.