Analysts predict European car sales will recover by 2014

ERJ staff report (DS)

London - The UK's federation of car makers, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said it is now predicting a more positive outlook than first expected for European automotive production during the next four years, with a strong indication that output will return to the pre-recession highs of 2007 by 2014.

According to the latest 'European Car and LCV Production Outlook Report', commissioned by the SMMT, the recovery in production volumes has been underpinned by better than expected performances from several vehicle manufacturers and specific models. It is expected that European volumes in 2010 will reach 17.2 million units compared to 16.1 million in 2009. By 2014, production volumes are expected to grow to reach 20.4 million, back to the levels achieved in 2007.

“Although vehicle production volumes across Europe fell by more than 2.8 million units in 2009, there is increasing confidence regarding 2010 and beyond, thanks to the acceleration of new model programmes and the strong performance by many vehicle manufacturers over the first quarter of 2010,” comments Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive.

To mark the launch of a new suite of data, SMMT is providing free copies of the 'European Car and LCV Production Outlook: Executive Summary' to non-members for a limited time only. The new interactive map and briefing videos are free to members and non-members (see links below).

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Press release from SMMT

Executive summary of report from SMMT

Interactive map from SMMT