2010 Market Analysis

Fiscal year 2010 sets tone of modest recovery for auto industry; lays foundation for expansion in 2011

2010 started with the auto industry in recuperation mode where numerous players, whether automaker or supplier, managed to secure a narrow recovery, whilst smaller lower-tier suppliers have still not recovered from the 2008 global recession. The demand for new cars is escalating at a decent pace, with developed markets coming to capacity at a slower pace whilst the emerging markets have already crossed the recovery phase. The BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) are no longer just markets where there is promise and potential for the industry – automakers are now actively moving in and localising production at these facilities. Whilst the recent economic crisis had put the brakes on development and investment in these areas, the recent flurry of investment announcements suggests that automakers and component suppliers to tap the potential of the BRIC markets, going as far as investing in research and development facilities.