Europe’s auto association (ACEA) has joined India’s in worrying about likely future sales levels. As the chart shows, it reports volumes “reached a historic low for the month of January (red square)”. Even German sales were down 8.6% versus 2012. Whilst the downturn in Spain’s econony meant its 47m people bought fewer cars than Belgium’s […]
Chemicals and the Economy
“Cheap, convenient mobility” the new trend for US auto markets
The US auto market seems to be at the start of a 3rd period of major change since 1950. As the chart above shows, sales have still not recovered to 1995-2007 levels. Equally, the key drivers behind the earlier two phases of development seem to be unwinding: • Post-war boom. Annual sales rose steadily until […]
Combined EU, US, China auto sales edge up 4% in 2012
Autos are now the largest single global market for chemical and polymer sales, after the slowdown in US and European housing. Each US auto is worth $3636 to the industry, according to American Chemistry Council data. Thus the US market was worth a record $52.7bn in 2012, with auto sales totalling nearly 14.5m. Overall, as […]
Combined EU, US, China auto sales edge up 4% in 2012
Autos are now the largest single global market for chemical and polymer sales, after the slowdown in US and European housing. Each US auto is worth $3636 to the industry, according to American Chemistry Council data. Thus the US market was worth a record $52.7bn in 2012, with auto sales totalling nearly 14.5m. Overall, as […]
US auto buyers prefer new to old, as used market tightens
December saw continued strong volume in US auto markets, with sales (red line) at pre-Crisis levels for the month. The key driver is the need to replace ageing vehicles, but manufacturers were also generous with rebates and credit offers to help clear inventory: • Overall, 2012 sales were up 13% versus 2011 at 14.5m • […]
Global auto sales remain slow as China boosts exports
Auto sales continue to struggle in 3 of the world’s main markets. The chart shows combined sales by month in China, US, EU, Japan and India. These were 76% of global demand in 2011. Overall, volume is up 6% versus last year: • China’s sales are up 7% at 13.1m, as its economy remains slow […]
Auto sales growth stalls world-wide
Autos are easily the largest global demand sector for chemicals, now housing has declined. Developments in the world’s 4 major markets (China, US, EU, Japan) are thus critical to the future outlook, as they account for nearly 75% of total sales. As the chart shows: • Volumes have increased this year (red square) by 7% […]
US auto market reaches a fork in the road
The US auto market is reaching a critical fork in the road. The consensus view believes that full recovery is well underway. They see the slowdown in October’s sales as purely being weather-related, due to the arrival of hurricane Sandy. Clearly this must have had an impact. But as the chart above shows, it may […]
Global auto sales growth slows
The impact of sustained high oil prices is becoming very clear in global auto markets. Car sales are facing major headwinds with gasoline and diesel prices at, or near, record levels in many countries. The chart shows combined sales in the 3 major markets – China, US, Europe – to September: • Overall, sales (red […]
China’s auto sales remain in the slow lane
Mark Twain, the famous US writer, put it well when he warned that: “It isn’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you think you know for sure.” This has certainly been the case with auto sales in China. In 2010, leading analysts JD Power expected that “the pace of growth […]