The world car manufacturing industry witnessed close to 5% expansion in 2011 to exceed $803 billion, reports MarketLine. The market is expected to reach almost $1 trillion in 2016, representing 37% expansion in five years. Volkswagen dominates the market, holding close to 13% of overall industry volume.
Volume-wise, the global passenger car industry is expected to reach almost 87 million units by 2017, according to research from Global Industry Analysts. The market is driven by GDP growth and rising levels of discretionary income in emerging economies leading to rising demand for luxury cars. Passenger car demand and consumer spending power are intricately linked, and government policy also plays a key role. Legislations that lead to rising fuel prices, restrict fuel usage and encourage anti-auto use to ease traffic congestion all have a direct bearing on trends in the passenger cars industry.
Regional Market Share
- North America’s car manufacturing sector reached revenue of almost $102 billion in 2011, having recorded a -3.5% yearly change for the four preceding years, reports MarketLine. Industry production volumes fell at a yearly rate of -3.5% over the same four-year period, reaching close to 5.6 million cars in 2011. Market growth is expected to accelerate to a yearly rate of almost 6% for the five-year period ending 2016 to reach revenue in excess of $133 billion.
- MarketLine estimates that the EU car manufacturing industry was worth almost $275 billion in 2011. The EU region witnessed close to 2% yearly growth between 2007 and 2011, while industry output volumes decreased to around -2%. European car manufacturers produced over 17 million cars in 2011. Industry performance is predicted to pick up over coming years to exceed 5% annual growth between 2011 and 2016, when this regional market should reach almost $351 billion.
- The South American car manufacturing market grew at almost 4% a year for four years to reach close to $55 billion in 2011. According to research from MarketLine, industry production volume rose 3% a year over the same period, hitting 3.2 million cars in 2011. Over the four-year period ending 2016, growth in the South American car manufacturers market is predicted to accelerate to generate revenue of almost $83 billion in 2016.
- The car manufacturing sector in Asia-Pacific was worth almost $368 billion in 2011, having recorded close to 1.5% yearly growth for four consecutive years. MarketLine estimates industry production volumes to have risen at a yearly rate of 8% between 2007 and 2011, breaking the 30 million car mark in 2011. Market expansion is forecast to reach 7.5% between 2011 and 2016, bringing the regional market to a worth of almost $525 billion.
Industry Leaders
Leading names currently operating in the global passenger cars manufacturing industry include Ford, BMW, Honda, Volvo, Toyota, General Motors, Chrysler, Suzuki, Renault, Mazda, Ferrari, Volkswagen, Porsche, Mitsubishi, Škoda, Peugeot Citroen, Hyundai, Fiat and Nissan.
Market Outlook
In the near future, growth in the global passenger car sector will be dictated by the way in which industry players deal with two major obstacles; namely the need to cut carbon dioxide emissions, and whether they are successful in making the transition from fossil fuels to alternate fuels. Global Industry Analysts points to the market potential for environmentally friendly vehicles. These alternative-energy powered automobiles represent the next-generation of car, capable of adhering to carbon reduction goals.
The electric and hybrid passenger car market segment should record healthy growth over coming years, spurred by state initiatives like tax rebate subsidies and infrastructure incentives. In particular, government support in many nations will encourage consumers to purchase new energy-efficient vehicles, benefitting the global passenger car market.
The hybrid car sector is set to witness significant growth due to advantages like superior mileage, fuel efficiency and environmentally friendliness compared with traditional passenger vehicles.
Leading Industry Associations
