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AUTOMOTIVE
Global automotive production has returned to growth.
According to the International Organization of Motor
Vehicle Manufacturers (IOMVM), it even reached a record
level in 2011, with 80.1 million vehicles manufactured,
up more than 3% compared to 2010. Still according to
IOMVM, the rebound is expected to continue in 2012 at a
pace more or less identical. Unsurprisingly, 2011 placed
Asia as the first producing continent, with 40.6 million
vehicles assembled in 12 months. It is followed by grea-
ter Europe, including Russia, which produced 21.1 million
units in 2011 against 17.8 million for the two Americas,
the third largest area of global consumption. China alone
remains the largest producer with a score of 18.4 million
vehicles assembled in 2011, mainly by Chinese manufac-
turers with major European, Japanese or American allies.
Europe, whose production was generally maintained,
remains globally and structurally in a situation of excess
capacity. Most French and German manufacturers also
maintain their efforts to capture new market share in
growing markets. China is ahead of the lot, with sales
up nearly 15% in 2011. Although the surge is twice lower
than in 2010 (+32%), demand is such that the authorities
have limited to 20,000 the number of license plates assi-
gned each month by random draw, thereby meeting only
one application out of eleven. The local level of equip-
ment – there are five cars per hundred people, ten times
less than in Europe – however, suggests that growth is
there to continue in the long term.
Outlook for 2012
80.1 million
vehicleswere
produced
worldwide
in 2011
40.6
MILLION
With 40.6 million units
produced in 2011, the Asian
continent is the first car
producer.