The 2007-2009 recession was 4.3% in the US and that did not really hurt the US so badly as to destroy the country. But yes it is supposed to.

So they want self driving cars, which do not brake for pedestrians and cyclists? Do I understand this correctly?

Seasonal storage is mostly not needed. Close to the equator it is not due to not really having a season problem. Further to the poles you have stronger winds in winter.