Cars have a limited lifespan. (around 8 years on average apparently) So, apx 10-12% of private passenger vehicles need to be replaced every year. Apart from keeping your current car longer, and waiting to see how the technology develops, what would be your choice of a new car?
Probably not Diesel..... Hyper efficient small capacity turbocharged ice? Hybrid? Full electric?
In many cases legislation (especially in Europe and China) is steering (pun) you into the last 2. It would seem that within 20 years all cars will be either full EV or hybrid That is a lot of cars. So, the demand side is taken care of.
Supply side? Lithium isn't rare. But, It can be difficult to extract efficiently (as ORE shareholders are highly aware). Given the volatility of the embryonic stages of the industry, the legacy sentiments of the GFC and negative views about mining, there is an element of Capital constraint. This will imo ensure supply lags demand for some time to come.
Despite the choppy nature of holding this stock, the amount of cash they have, bottom quartile cost base, the expansion underway, diversification of product, cross shareholding and JV's, even a borates business which looks like it is at the bottom of a cycle, I will be adding more on dips like today.
Yes, it is a battle with the shorters, but they cant fight the future forever.
GLTAH