We are pleased to present our new Global Automotive Perspectives for 2008, in which you will find our vision for and expectations of key industry challenges that are shaping the ever-changing global automotive landscape.
2008 is shaping up to be a year marked by profound industrial shifts and strong headwinds for the automotive industry, as global players respond to a fast growing array of financial and regulatory pressures. Such constraints include increasing fuel economy and/or drastic CO2 emissions mandates, rising commodity prices, a weakened US dollar, changing consumer preferences, and liquidity concerns. Nonetheless, tremendous opportunities exist for automakers and suppliers who are prepared to deliver swift and viable solutions to the industry's current transformation.
Subject matter specialists from our global network of automotive industry professionals provide insights and discuss some of the main challenges facing automotive industry executives today, including:
- An update on green car taxes in Europe
- Meeting the challenge of sustainability
- The rapid expansion of the car market in Russia
- The effect of a declining US Dollar on manufacturing footprint strategy
- Anticipating the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
- Trends in global automotive merger & acquisition activity
In addition, we include comments directly from major automotive manufacturer and supplier executives on topics such as technology and innovation, cost reduction, environmental consideration, and emerging market activities, among others. We hope that this first edition of our new Global Automotive Perspectives delivers valuable insights that address some of the major obstacles on your company's road to profitability and sustainability. Automotive companies must be well-equipped to maneuver around these road hazards that lie just ahead and around the curve.
