As a measure of how big the auto business has become in China, before 2008 the assemblers and components companies were all able to fit in the old convention center.

FORBES: The Beijing Auto Show 2012

But my job is to measure the costs of allowing these auto companies just to collapse versus us figuring out, can they come up with a viable plan?

WHITEHOUSE: Online Town Hall

As an example, a potential application for an auto manufacturer pushing test drives on its website could be able to measure the value of all test drives booked on the site, and the value of those booked after being referred from social media sites.

FORBES: Making The Most Of Social-Media Monitoring Optimization: Are You Up To The Task?

The Tuesday tariff is yet another measure aimed at protecting local industry following sector-specific tax incentives (like the auto industry) and a more aggressive intervention policy to maintain the foreign exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Brazilian real at weak levels.

FORBES: Weak Economy Pushes Brazil To Protectionism

India taxes partly-assembled auto parts by up to 100%, while unassembled components are taxed at 10%, a measure meant to encourage local manufacturing.

WSJ: Indian Authorities Investigate BMW Over Taxes

But despite some loosening of credit, the auto industry won't find many buyers until there's a marked improvement in consumer confidence, a measure that currently sits at historic lows.

FORBES: Sales