In cases where the game-theory models say that one would be very unlikely to appear, this new factor pushes the other way, making competition more likely than before.
And the recall of nearly a half-million Chevrolet Cruzes over the last several weeks may be one factor that has knocked down demand, although GM executives instead cite intra-brand competition from other models such as Malibu.
But he suspects Jaguar and BMW will be selling passenger models equipped with KERS long before Formula One has made its power-boosting technology a decisive factor in winning races.