In 2009 China overtook the United States to become the world's largest auto market, with sales of more than 13 million cars. One reason for this rapid growth is a "brain drain" of veteran Japanese engineers to China.

More than 100 such engineers have been reportedly hired by Chinese automakers, who offer salaries 10 times higher than what Japanese companies pay. Unable to prevent the loss of these skilled workers amid the recession, Japanese carmakers are worried about losing their technological and commercial edge over their Chinese rivals.

Reporter Akiko Fujita takes a look at how Chinese automakers are headhunting Japanese engineering talent, and we ask Koji Endo of Advanced Research Japan what effect this trend will have on competition between the Chinese and Japanese auto industries.