The world’s top automakers face disruption from tight global supplies of magnesium, as China’s power crisis threatens availability of the key component used to make aluminum. European magnesium stocks have been particularly affected by the lack of supplies from China, **which has a near monopoly on the magnesium market**. It is expected that the current magnesium inventories in Germany and respectively in the whole of Europe will be exhausted by the end of November 2021. Magnesium is used for a range of products, especially aluminum alloys, which are used in several auto-parts from gearboxes and steering columns to seat frames and fuel tank covers. China, which is Europe’s main magnesium supplier, has ordered roughly 35 of its 50 magnesium smelters to close until the end of the year to conserve power supplies. What makes the shortage a pressing issue is that there are no substitutes for magnesium in aluminum sheet and billet production. “Thirty-five per cent of downstream demand for magnesium is auto sheet — so if magnesium supply stops, the entire auto industry will potentially be forced to stop,” Barclays analyst Amos Fletcher said. ---buy a used or new car NOW...you ain't seen nuttin yet. Prices will soar.