New market study, "United States Autos Report Q3 2010", has been published

July 3, 2010 - PRLog -- While the auto industry in the US is in a much better position than at this point in 2009, sales for April showed the first signs of lower growth, which BMI believes will be much more prominent in H210. As carmakers are attributing the growth to a rebounding US economy, we can expect the auto industry to experience the same slowdown to some extent that we forecast for the economy in the second half of the year. Vehicle sales in the US rose 20% year-on-year (y-o-y) in April, down slightly from the 24% increase in March. BMI also warns that there are two major factors behind March's strong performance: the low base from 2009, and an increase in dealer incentives during the month.

Interestingly, truck sales contributed significantly to growth in April and the year-to-date. Ford Motor's US growth of 24.9% last month was due in no small part to a 42% rise in sales of its best-selling F-150 pick-up truck. US light truck sales also outpaced car sales in April, but were still slightly lower for the four-month period at 14.9% compared with 18.4% growth in car sales. This suggests that the 'gas guzzlers' may not fall from favour as quickly as expected, particularly if BMI's forecast for the first year of growth in the construction industry for five years is met.

The underlying strength of the US market and its positive attitude towards foreign investment see it retain first place in BMI's Business Environment Ratings for the auto industry in the Americas. Although it does not have the growth potential of some of the Latin American markets, it does have a strong regulatory framework and fewer limits on potential returns. The country also scores highly for its regulatory environment, reflecting trade agreements such as North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Although General Motors Company (GM) managed to hang on to its lead of the market in 2009 despite a 30% fall in sales, it is now looking much stronger at the top of the table in the first four months of 2010 with sales up 14%. However, the real battle comes behind GM, where Toyota Motor has been ousted by Ford for second place. Ford's 33% increase in sales in the four months to April have left the company just 1.4% behind GM in terms of market share. Chrysler, while still back in fifth, is looking more competitive since its restructuring, with sales growth of 1.95% for the four months.

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Report Table of Contents:

Executive Summary
SWOT Analysis
- United States Auto SWOT
- United States Political SWOT
- United States Economic SWOT
- United States Business Environment SWOT
Market Overview
- Industry Developments
Industry Forecast Scenario
- Table: US Auto Sector - Historical Data And Forecasts
- Table: US Auto Sector - Historical Data And Forecasts
Macroeconomic Forecast Scenario
- Table: United States - GDP Contribution to Growth
Competitive Landscape
- Table: US - Top 10 New Vehicle Sales, 2008 & 2009 (CBUs)
- Table: North American Light Vehicle Output 2009 (CBUs)
- Table: US - Top 10 New Vehicle Sales, Jan-Apr (CBUs)
- Industry Developments
- Emission Standards
- Company Developments
- The 'Big One'
- Alternative Partnerships
- Suppliers
- Table: US - Top Automotive Suppliers (US$mn)
Company Monitor
- General Motors Company
- Ford Motor
- Chrysler
Country Snapshot: United States Demographic Data
- Section 1: Population
- Table: Demographic Indicators, 2005-2030
- Table: Rural/Urban Breakdown, 2005-2030
- Section 2: Education And Healthcare
- Table: Education, 2002-2005
- Table: Vital Statistics, 2005-2030
- Section 3: Labour Market And Spending Power
- Table: Employment Indicators, 2001-2006
- Table: Consumer Expenditure, 2000-2012 (US$)
- Table: Average Annual Wages, 2000-2012 (US$)
BMI Methodology
- How We Generate Our Industry Forecasts
- Sources

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