In 2014, US auto market benefited from domestic economic recovery, enhanced consumer spending and oil price decrease, and new vehicle (light vehicle) sales volume reached 16.52 million (with a significant growth of 5.9% compared to the previous year) , indicating that the US auto market had recovered to the level before the subprime mortgage crisis. US, together with China market, both drove the overall demand of the global light vehicle market, making up for the sales decline in European, South American and Russian regions.
I. Market Size has Recovered to the Level before Subprime Mortgage Crisis
II. GM still Ranks First in the Sales of Finished Automobile
III. Recall Issue: Historical New High
IV. Energy Conservation and Light Weight Issues: Driving Domestic Investment and Employment
V. Is There any Chance that Sales Volume Reaches over 17 Million in 2015?
Table 1. Localization Activities of Japanese Parts and Components Manufacturers in USA in Response to Energy Conservation and Light Weight Topics in Recent Years