Global automotive industry buoyed by strong growth in Western Europe and China in first half of 2016
August 9, 2016
The major international automotive markets were boosted by strong growth in the first half of 2016 in Western Europe, which posted a 9% gain in vehicle sales to reach 7.5 million units along with a 4% increase in light vehicle (LV) production to 9.860 million.
China reported production and sales of automobiles rising to 12.9 and 12.8 million units respectively, increases of 6.5% and 8.1% year-on-year. LV production in North America overall was up 2.6% to 8.99 million units with LV production in the USA up 2.4% to 6.1 million units, Canada up 13.3% to 1.24 million, however Mexico slipping by 3.6% to 1.66 million.
India’s automobile market grew by a solid 4% to 1.4 million in the six months since the beginning of 2016. In Japan car production was down by 2.4% to 3.8 million in the first six months and domestic sales were 5.3% lower at 2.1 million units. South Korea also recorded a decline in production in the first half, dipping 5.5% to 2.2 million units.
Russia and Brazil remain problem markets with sales in Russia down by 14% to 672,140 units, the worst half-year result since 2003. Brazil’s weak economy contributed to a 25% decline in new car sales, with 952,200 units sold in the first half of 2016.
