CHICAGO, March 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses the Automotives Energy Industry, including General Motors Company (NYSE: GM), Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F), Toyota Motors Corp. (NYSE: TM), Honda Motor Co. (NYSE: HMC) and Nissan Motor Co. (Nasdaq: NSANY)
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/ZIRLOGO)
A synopsis of today's Industry Outlook is presented below. The full article can be read at http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/48851/Auto+Industry+Outlook+and+Review+%96+March+2011
The auto industry is a highly concentrated one, with roughly 10 global automakers accounting for over 77% of total production worldwide. In 2010, General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) led with a 19.1% market share in the U.S., followed by Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) with a 16.7% market share, Toyota Motors Corp. (NYSE: TM) with a 15.2% market share, Honda Motor Co. (NYSE: HMC) with a 10.6% market share, Chrysler-Fiat with a 9.4% market share and Nissan Motor Co. (Nasdaq: NSANY) with a 7.8% market share.
The economic downturn provided the impetus for a massive structural change in the auto industry, setting the stage for growth over the next decade. Given the high barriers to entry and the need for scale economies (in operations, supply chain and marketing), the global auto industry landscape is expected to be ruled by global automakers and suppliers based in the six major auto markets -– China, India, Japan, Korea, Western Europe and the U.S.
OPPORTUNITIES
To remain competitive, automakers will need to design vehicles that meet the requirements of consumers in both mature and emerging markets. Automakers will focus on more user-friendly and low-cost vehicles that are also the most advanced technologically.
The automakers will continue to shift their production facilities from high-cost regions such as North America and the European Union to lower-cost regions such as China, India and South America. For example, Greater China and South America together are projected to represent more than 50% of growth in global light vehicle production from 2008 to 2015.
There are two underlying factors behind this location shift in the auto industry. The first is the cost factor. The cost of labor in emerging auto markets continues to be a fraction of that in the developed world. The second is the demand factor. Many low-cost regions, including the emerging auto markets, have high potential for growth. Thus, the shift in auto industry production facilities will lead to a localization of the manufacturing base that will bring down transportation costs.
The emergence of trading blocs is also giving this process a push in the auto market. It is likely that over time there will be fewer car imports from outside a trade zone.
The role of governments must not be overlooked. Governments in all major countries have become active auto industry players. Their environmental policies will be strongly responsible in molding the auto industry in the coming years.
Further, automakers have started to reduce the number of technological platforms with a greater diversity of models produced from each platform in order to remain cost competitive.
For example, Honda, with its flexible common platform, has developed three dimensionally distinct versions of the Accord, allowing for designs where 60% of the components are common. Ford aims to build 680,000 vehicles per core global platform by 2015, up from the current level of 345,000 units.
Want more from Zacks Equity Research? Subscribe to the free Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today by visiting http://at.zacks.com/?id=2679.
About Zacks
Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leonard Zacks. As a PhD in mathematics Len knew he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros at http://at.zacks.com/?id=4581.
Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/zacksresearch
Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch
Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.
Contacts: |
|
Mark Vickery |
|
312-265-9380 |
|
Visit: www.zacks.com |
|
SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.
WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?
Newsrooms &
Influencers
Digital Media
Outlets
Journalists
Opted In
Share this article