Fifteen years ago, you couldn't even own a car in China.

Now everyone is desperate to buy one.

It's the stuff of salesman's dreams and an environmentalist's nightmare.

Carole Cadwalladr and renowned British photojournalist Martin Parr go to the Beijing car show to witness the birth of a nation of Jeremy Clarksons

From the archive:

This is a data-heavy presentation from two economists at CIBC World Markets. You'll have to make your own soundtrack. See how China dominates the growth in demand for natural resources. See how much is accomplished by Americans' purchase of hybrid vehicles, in the face of massive market growth in Russia and China. Watch how gasoline hits US$7/gallon by 2012. Watch ethanol peter out and energy capacity fall short. Watch the Case/Shiller HPI continue to plummet as delinquencies soar. And so much more!

Top gear, please, and step on it