The South African electric car was news to me, but it isn't quite as loopy as it sounds - There are big car-making factories in industrial towns a few hours drive away from Cape Town. They put VW, Ford and BMW badges on the cars, but hey, they know how to build them. It will be interesting to see just how serious and successful Optimal Energy turns out to be.

The car's designer is yet another South African who has been working in Europe (for Ferrari). There is talent, if you can persuade it to fly in for a visit.

So, today's future shock. Innovative auto makers: India, South Africa. Economic mismanagment: Europe, US.

Oh, and calling your electric car "Volt", "Joule", "Tesla", or some other electrical term - So 2008. It will seem clever for another 2 months, and cheesy for the rest of history. You have been warned.