Global Automotive Industry
The global automotive industry involves the manufacture and sales of automobiles and other retail activities, such as gas-station retail and the sale of car parts. The industry’s yearly growth rate is expected to exceed 5.5% from 2010 to 2015, reaching a value of more than $5.1 trillion by 2015, according to research from MarketLine.
The auto industry is a leading driver of global economic growth, says the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, and it has expanded over 30% in the ten-year period ending 2005. The industry is a leading employer throughout the world, with 9 million people involved in making 60 million vehicles, or 5% of global manufacturing jobs. Indirect employment from automotive activity is fivefold, representing 50 million jobs connected indirectly to the auto industry. Other industries involved in the manufacture and service of vehicles include textiles, plastics, iron, steel, glass, aluminum, computer chips and rubber. The industry also involves significant research and development activity, representing investment of nearly $85 billion. It is estimated that the manufacture of vehicles contributes more than $430 billion to the governments of 26 countries combined.
Safety plays a key role in the automotive industry with car manufacturers constantly investing in safety technology to both avoid and lessen damage from collision, and improve braking systems, lighting and stability. The industry is also involved in improving environmental safety by finding alternatives to petroleum such as electricity, natural gas, hydrogen fuel cells, sustainable biofuels and clean diesel. According to Pike Research, electric cars are soon to occupy a large share of the market, including battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). HEVs and PHEVs combined are expected to reach a market worth of almost 3 million by 2017, driven by environmental initiatives such as purchase incentives and rising fuel-economy standards.
Regional Market Share
- US vehicles sales and production account for around 40% of the global automotive industry, according to Global Automakers, whose members have contributed close to $45 billion to US automotive activity. The investment represents 300 facilities and employment for around 80,000 people with a combined yearly payroll of $6 billion. Leading US manufacturers include Ford, General Motors and the Chrysler Group.
- The European automotive market is lead by production in Germany, Italy and France. In the EU, the industry employs 2.3 million people directly and almost another 10.5 million indirectly, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association. The region produces more than 17 million vehicles a year, representing a quarter of overall global production. There are just less than 170 facilities in operation across 16 member nations, run by 17 vehicle manufacturers. Leading players include BMW, Fiat, Renault, Volkswagen, Volvo and Peugeot Citroën.
- Overall, Japanese market share fell around 4% year-on-year to just under 35% in August 2011. Japan holds around a 45% share in both the compact car and compact crossover markets, and 48% in the mid-size car market, according to a Kelly Blue Book report. The March 11 earthquake and tsunami cut revenue for leading carmakers Toyota and Honda by $5 billion and over $3 billion, respectively. Leading Japanese automotive manufacturers include Toyota, Suzuki, Honda, Isuzu, Mazda, Daihatsu, Yamaha and Kawasaki.
Market Outlook
Technological innovation is changing the automotive industry, with computers being used to regulate fuel and air entering vehicle engines to cut emissions. Advances in exhaust emission systems are improving air quality and reducing harm to the environment. Research in this sector is important as government legislation favors clean car technologies. Similarly, the global electric vehicle (EV) market is being driven by environmental concern. The EV market segment is expected to grow at a yearly rate of more than 30% for the four-year period ending 2014, according to Technavio. Zero-emission vehicles are a particularly dynamic market sector, though their manufacture would need to become more cost effective to challenge electric vehicles.
Leading Industry Associations
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