Political instability and shaky industrial relations were amongst the issues that bubbled up on just-auto.com this week.
As Simon Warburton reported, suppliers are getting “twitchy” about having a go in Russia as relations between that country and the West deteriorate. Falling consumer confidence could slow sales this year by 30%, he also reported.
Meanwhile, political unrest in Thailand is causing automakers some concern – Honda for one has delayed the opening of a new plant.
Settlement of the latest bit of niggle in the South African auto industry is also looking a bit unstable and far from resolved for the long term.
Chevrolet announced the first global new car launch for Detroit next January but the brand’s top exec was keeping schtum on the details in Traverse City this week.
Bill Cawthon gleefully reported a very good July for US car sales but the mood at SMMT headquarters in London was a little more subdued with talk of the UK market’s moderate growth of the last three months showing that overall demand is beginning to stabilise.
And still the quarterly results roll in – grouped together here for easy access.
Have a nice weekend.
Graeme Roberts, Deputy Editor, just-auto.com