- In 2012, the global market grew by 4.9% compared to 2011: +5.9% for PC (Passenger cars)and 1.8% for LUV (Light Utility Vehicles). Nearly 80 million vehicles were registered last year. China accounted for a quarter of the global market (19.3 million units, of which 15.5 million PC).
- In 2011, the global market grew by 4.6% compared to 2010. The tsunami affected Japanese registrations which fell by 15% last year. In year 2012 Japan caught up on its market (with a +27.6 % increase versus 2011), but the European market fell by 8% last year (fifth consecutive year of decline).
- In 2013, the global market is expected to grow by less than 3% compared to 2012, while the European market is expected to decline by 3% (sixth consecutive year of decline.)
- The market for BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) should represent 40% of global sales in 2013 against 38% in 2012.
- In 2012, 19.3 million vehicles (PC + LUV) were sold in China, 3.8 million in Brazil, 3.6 million in India and 3.2 million in Russia, i-e. altogether 30 million vehicles on the BRIC market. This region has drawn the global automotive industry for several years.
- It is to be noted that the U.S. and the (27 countries) Europe had a similar size in 2012.