Automotive Industry: Market Research Reports, Statistics and Analysis

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 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

• International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers www.oica.net
• American International Automobile Dealers Association www.aiada.org
• Global Automakers www.globalautomakers.org
• Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association www.aiaglobal.org
• European Automobile Manufacturer’s Association www.acea.be
• Japan Automobile Manufacturer’s Association www.jama-english.jp