> because of their cost structure (overhead due to unions, expensive real estate, regulations etc.)

I'm sure those are factors, but I wonder, what about having to provide private health insurance to employees? My employer says our costs went up 9% this year. I also wonder how much owners and executives are paid in Chinese car makers vs US. The leader and largest shareholder of Tesla is the richest man in the world (or perhaps was; I'm not sure of the current ranking). I don't know the name of any Chinese automotive leaders (though it's certainly possible that that's just my bias as an American). But I wonder how much of the cost structure is going to shareholders?