Overview
Summarising the current automotive market is difficult because trends vary so widely between different territories. Sales are booming in Europe generally, but slowing in the UK, USA and China. The picture is further complicated by changing technologies and increasing pressures to meet environmental standards. There are also nation-specific factors, such as the uncertainties surrounding Brexit in the UK and taxation changes in China aimed at reducing pollution.
Strengths and weaknesses
The automotive sector’s main strength is its focus on R&D and innovation, which is enabling it to cope with the demand for ‘cleaner’ engines and alternatives technologies such as hybrid and electric cars. Sales in China are expected to fluctuate, but Coface economists forecast a 4-5% increase in 2018, driven by the changeover to electric and hybrid vehicles. This is being encouraged by the government through taxation changes. However, the market in the USA is unlikely to recover, with borrowing costs high. Even in Europe, demand is forecast to peak in 2018, then slow down gradually.
With such a patchy picture this is an industry in which it’s essential to protect your business from cashflow problems and payment defaults – not only with credit insurance from Coface, but also with an unrivalled fund of market intelligence.
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