Asian Auto Sector – Outlook Not Too Bad

At a time when vehicle markets in the US and Europe are set to fall sharply, the outlook for most of Asia is not too bad, says a report from industry strategists Autopolis. It predicts a downturn in the region for this year and next, but, as 2000 saw record car sales (excluding Japan), the drop should be manageable. This year, only China and Malaysia are forecast to see sales of vehicles rise.

The Japanese market is predicted to fall this year by 4.3 per cent and 2.4 next.

For Asia outside Japan, the figures are minus 5.5 per cent (2001) and minus 3.3 per cent (2002).