Industry Developments

Automotive parts exports rose 87% y-o-y in the first quarter of the current Iranian year (which started on March 21) to US$20.2mn, according to customs officials.The main markets... 2006-07-31

BMI has raised its forecast for Turkish automotive production to 1,044,000 vehicles in 2006, a 14.2% increase y-o-y, based on first half output figures published by Turkey's Automotive... 2006-07-28

The Iranian market is highly protected and imports are effectively prohibited by a high tariff barrier, which means that commercial vehicle sales are dictated by domestic supply.... 2006-07-27

A downturn in consumer confidence in the Gulf region, prompted by large falls in share values on local bourses, has hit Japanese brand sales hard. Meanwhile, European carmakers have... 2006-07-26

Emerging markets are providing growth opportunities for commercial vehicle manufacturers. The global commercial vehicle sector has experienced consolidation, with high profile mergers... 2006-07-26

Turkey is a net exporter of motor vehicles. Although production slumped in 2001 due to the country's economic crisis, by 2004 it had regained its momentum, rising to over US$10bn... 2006-07-26

Iran Khodro plans to manufacture 650,000 passenger cars in the current Iranian calendar year, which runs from late March 2006 to late March 2007. Of this, 60,000 will be destined... 2006-07-24

GM's Middle East sales totalled 36,173 units in Q2 2006, bringing H2 sales to 62,629 units, representing a 20% y-o-y rise.In the United Arab Emirates, GM sales more than doubled in... 2006-07-14

Egypt is set for a boom in car sales due to the appreciation of the Egyptian pound and the rising consumer confidence. In 2004, the Egyptian pound was floated resulting in an appreciation... 2006-07-13

Mazda was the leading brand on the Israeli passenger car market in Q1 2006. Mazda represented 78.8% of sales, followed by Hyundai on 6.1%, Ford on 5.2%, Toyota on 3.6% and Chevrolet... 2006-07-13