Although overall supplier results have remained solid, and guidance remains cautiously optimistic, investors have clearly become concerned about the sector’s prospects for 2012. Recent automotive sales data have shown signs of a broader slowdown, or at least a moderation in the pace of the recovery. The U.S. Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) recently recovered to slightly above 12 million in the months of July and August. Yet, this follows a substantial drop in May and June, and is still well below the previous 13 million-plus level. The increase in month-to-month sales volatility, along with heightened economic and consumer uncertainty, has cast a shadow over the entire automotive supply chain.
Although overall supplier results have remained solid, and guidance remains cautiously optimistic, investors have clearly become concerned about the sector’s prospects for 2012. Recent automotive sales data have shown signs of a broader slowdown, or at least a moderation in the pace of the recovery. The U.S. Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) recently recovered to slightly above 12 million in the months of July and August. Yet, this follows a substantial drop in May and June, and is still well below the previous 13 million-plus level. The increase in month-to-month sales volatility, along with heightened economic and consumer uncertainty, has cast a shadow over the entire automotive supply chain.