With one year to go before China hosts the next Olympics, doubts continue to be voiced about the country’s human-rights record.

Yet despite the lingering concerns, western Europe daily consumes vast quantities of Chinese products without batting an eyelid. But if you are one of that small minority who prefers not to support China’s burgeoning economy then consider this: the engine in your next new car might well have been manufactured in China.

Fiat is the latest European auto maker to go shopping for its engines in the People’s Republic. It has just signed a deal that will result in its being supplied more than 100,000 engines a year by a Chinese company – in this case Chery Automobile.

It is impossible to predict just how many European cars will be powered by Chinese engines by the end of the present decade, but you can be certain it will be more than a few. Perhaps now is a good time to start asking the question.