Wood On Plastics: Auto Sector Exhibits Resilience

After a strong start in the first quarter of this year, the market for new cars became tumultuous over the following three months. Thecombination of a spike in U.S. gasoline prices and the supply disruptions caused by the earthquake/tsunami/nuclear disaster in Japan constrained the auto market at the beginning of the second quarter. All the hoopla that accompanied the Federal government’s debt-limit debacle further suppressed consumers’ desire to spend as the summer progressed.

But through all of this, both the number of motor vehicles assembled in the U.S. and the total number of new cars sold in this country have still managed to register strong growth for the year to date.

According to monthly data compiled and reported by AutoData Corp., total light-vehicle sales in the U.S. (domestic and imported) are up nearly 11% through the first seven months of this year vs. the same period in 2010. And despite the high price of fuel, the growth rate is pretty even between passenger cars and light trucks (which includes SUVs and mini-vans). Combined sales for GM, Ford, and Chrysler are up 15% so far in 2011, while sales for both Honda and Toyota are actually down this year compared with 2010.

Probably more useful to processors that supply the U.S. auto industry is monthly data on U.S. motor-vehicle assemblies compiled and reported by the Federal Reserve Board. Through the first half of 2011, the number of motor vehicles assembled in America is up 10% from last year.
The outlook calls for growth in both new vehicle sales and assemblies through next year, but the rate will decelerate from the current 10% range down to 6-7%. This would result in annual sales growth of about 12.5% in 2011.

Our expectations for the second half of 2011 and 2012 are based on near-term improvement in both employment and housing. It will take several more quarters for these indicators to recover fully, but a discernable uptrend must soon emerge in both of them if this economy is going to generate any upward momentum. Next year is a major election year, and history has shown that election years tend to be distinguished by increased economic activity. We expect 2012 to follow that trend.

Longer-term, there are several trends and developments that bode well for the future of the auto industry. One of these is the high price of gasoline and another is that the average age of the U.S. auto fleet is at a historically high level. High gasoline prices are a short-term impediment to auto sales, but if they persist, then they motivate consumers to change their behaviors and purchase more efficient vehicles. Many consumers are currently postponing the purchase of a new car, but sooner or later this pent-up demand will be released. These trends suggest that the market for fuel-efficient vehicles will be sparked as soon as there is some improvement in the overall economy.

The second trend is the proposed rise in the CAFE (fuel emission) standards for new cars. Traditionally, the negotiations that precede the establishment of these standards elicit strong resistance from the auto industry, but the latest round was surprisingly amicable. And even more surprising was the fact that the mileage standards were nearly doubled from current levels. By the year 2025, the average mileage ratings for the all cars sold in the U.S. is expected to be more than 50 mpg.  We are presently only in the mid-20s. This will require a fundamental shift in the way cars are built and the materials that are used. There will be a sharp rise in lightweight plastics, aluminum, and carbon fiber. This means there will also be huge change in the amount and types of machinery, molds, and tooling used to manufacture these vehicles.

WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU

•Cars are becoming mobile computers. Their functions and the way they are manufactured increasingly represent cutting-edge technology.
•Disposal/recycling of cars once they are past their useful life will be an important factor in their design.
•Changes to infrastructure needs (i.e., battery recharging stations) will also provide opportunities for processors.