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> I think a US private company pioneered electric cars.

Electric cars have been around since the late 1800s. If you mean modern ones, in the US the California Air Resources Board basically willed them back into existence in the 90s, and a California automaker (Tesla pre-Musk) made great strides in their public esteem by putting a battery pack and electric motor into a Lotus chassis and selling it as the "Roadster" (leaning on the prior art of companies like Ford and especially GM's EV1).

That US private company was significantly enabled by a (apparently temporary) government policy of direct and indirect financial support. That company does not exist without the direct and intentional support by the US government.

I argue you are overvaluing AI and self driving and undervaluing the capability to build high-tech products, systems, and infrastructure.

no, they mean there's no interest in tomorrow's profits when you can have them today. besides "they" won't be here tomorrow, so get it now. Don't be a simp and leave things for someone else.