"Slovakia Autos Report Q1 2010" is now available at Fast Market Research

Dec. 16, 2009 - PRLog -- As an export base for major European automakers, Slovakia's autos sector has suffered deeply from the recession in the eurozone. However, there are signs that the situation is stabilising, according to this report. Output appears to be benefiting from improvements in the eurozone economy, which has shown signs of recovery. The scrappage schemes introduced in several Western European markets, including Germany and France, have provided support for exports. Slovakia posted a trade surplus of EUR81.9mn in March as the drop in imports outpaced that of exports, according to  Agence France Presse. Meanwhile, production of cars at facilities operated by  Kia Motors,  Volkswagen (VW), and  PSA Peugeot Citroën posted a 30.3% drop in March compared with a 44.6% drop in February. Domestic sales have also started to pick up. New vehicle registrations totalled 10,902 units for April, a 17% rise from the period in 2008,  CTK has reported (citing the Slovak Automotive Industry Association (ZAP)). The increase is a marked contrast from the decline in sales registered in the early part of the year, and is attributed largely to the EUR33mn subsidy programme the government launched in March for new car purchases. But even with an increase in April, the picture for new vehicle registrations is still far from promising.  BMI believes that the subsidy programme is unlikely to spark a sustained rise in sales this year, especially as we forecast the economy contracting by 2.5%, which is likely to keep downward pressure on consumer sentiment. Manufacturers will need to resume full capacity at their facilities before a recovery could happen. So far, the major producers have discontinued production at their facilities. VW scaled down production of its Touareg and Porsche Cayenne bodies at its Bratislava plant and had to temporarily suspend production in order to avoid inventory accumulation as demand fell earlier this year. Over the long term, however, we anticipate Slovakia remaining an important centre for manufacturing. VW has confirmed that it will produce its New Small Family cars, which are due to launch globally in 2011, at the Bratislava plant. We see annual industry output reaching 936,041 units by the end of the forecast period (end-2013) at the latest. Although car sales growth is expected to be sustained over the next five years, it will be at a lower rate than  BMI had previously forecast. In May, VW confirmed that it would produce its new Up! model at its Bratislava plant. The model, part of its New Small Family range and available in 3- and 5-door versions, is available under the VW,  SEAT, and  Å koda Auto brands and should be launched worldwide in early 2011. The addition of the Up! could increase capacity at the plant by 30%. The automaker currently builds the VW Touareg, Porsche Cayenne, and Audi Q7 models at the plant through  VW Slovakia.
         
Report Table of Contents:

Executive Summary
- SWOT Analysis
- Slovakia Autos Industry SWOT
- Slovakia Political SWOT
- Slovakia Economical SWOT
- Slovakia Business Environment SWOT
- CEE Regional Overview
- Autos Mergers And Acquisitions
Table: Top Ten Auto Industry Deals
Table: Porsche And Volkswagen: Key Figures (2008)
Table: Cutting Down The Load
- Business Environment Ratings
Table: Western, Central & Eastern Europe Business Environment Ratings
- Industry Forecast Scenario
- Production And Sales
Table: Slovakia Autos Production And Sales
- Trade
Table: Trade
Table: Slovakia - Historical Data And Forecasts
- Economic Contribution
Table: Slovakia Autos Sector - Historical Data And Forecasts
- Macroeconomic Forecast Scenario
Table: Slovakia - Economic Activity
- Competitive Landscape
- Euro Entry
- Manufacturers - Passenger Cars
- New Investment
- Suppliers
- Company Monitor
- PSA Peugeot Citroën Regional Profile
- Financial Woes
- Focus On Faurecia
- Merger Opportunity
- Eye On Eastern Europe
- Company Profile
- Volkswagen (VW)
- PSA Peugeot Citroën
- Kia Motors
- Country Snapshot: Slovakia Demographic Data
- Section 1: Population
- Demographic Indicators, 2005-2030
- Rural/Urban Breakdown, 2005-2030
- Section 2: Education And Healthcare
- Education, 2002-2005
- Vital Statistics, 2005-2030
- Section 3: Labour Market And Spending Power
- Employment Indicators, 2001-2006
- Consumer Expenditure, 2000-2012 (US$)
- Average Annual Wages, 2000-2012
- BMI Methodology
- How We Generate Our Industry Forecasts
- Sources


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