With relatively weak economic data, flowing from countries deeply affected by the global financial crisis, especially those facing concern over debt contagion, combined with economic aftershocks emanating from the Japan crisis, expectations for a weekend auto sector outlook would appear likely. However these risk factors have tempered Autofact's modeling, other industry drivers like export demand and industry rebuilding support 2011's global light vehicle production being 650k units ahead of April's assembly forecast of 75.2 million units. But the largest variable behind this up version is the rapid recovery of Japan's domestic automakers and supplier industry.
With the majority of the Japanese manufacturers and suppliers expected to resume operation at full tilt by September, production in the June to August period should be commensurately stronger, contributing to 2011 output of 8.39 million units, 221k units more than prior forecast release.