- The OICA (International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers) has announced that global vehicle production amounted to 84.1 million units in 2012, which was up 5% compared to 2011. After a fall in 2009 due to the economic crisis of 2008, global production has therefore returned to a good growth rate, although there are however major variations depending on the regions in question.

- China remained the leading producer of vehicles last year, with 23% of global production, ahead of the European Union (19%), the United States (12%), Japan (12%), South Korea (5%), India (5%), Brazil (4%), Mexico (4%), Thailand (3%), Canada (3%), and Russia (3%).

- In 2012, global production was characterised by major in roads made by Asia, which now accounts for 51 % of global production.

- Production in Asia increased 9.6% last year due to Japan and Thailand catching up, whichwere hit hard by climate events the year before.

- European production fell 7.3% due to the 8% drop in the local market, which is the primary recipient of its production.

- US production increased 17.4%, with the buoyant local market rising 13.4 %, there by returning to a pre-crisis level (2007).

- South American production fell 3.5% due to exports falling, mainly in Brazil, particularly with exports of the VW Fox being discontinued (replaced by the Up! model in Europe).