1 Billion Cars Driving by End of 2012 Possible: IHS Says
Global automobile production is rising and according IHS automotive, the total output of cars and light-trucks could surpass the 80 million mark in 2012.
Car production has been recovering quickly since the global economic crisis of 2008 thanks especially to growth in China and in other emerging markets like South America. 2011 saw 76.8 million vehicles produced and 74 million vehicles were assembled in 2010.
Although it has been reported that the Chinese market is beginning to slow down, from the year 2000 to 2011, the number of cars on the road went from below 10 million to about 73 million in that country.
Despite this year’s record setting production levels, it still does not meet the capabilities that are already in place. According to IHS, 95 million vehicles could be produced in 2012, if every manufacturer utilized the full extent of their manufacturing facilities. It will take us until 2016 to meet that mark, with IHS saying that this will be the first year automobile production will dwarf 100 million units.
By the end of 2011, there was an estimated 979 million vehicles on the road including heavy trucks, representing an increase of 30 million over the previous year. By the end of 2012, that figure might tip the billion car mark, which would mean there would be roughly one car for every seven people on the planet.
Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
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That's a crap load of cars. Where are they gonna fit?!!? Parking is already terrible. I say scrap them all and buy a scooter. Hug a tree once and a while.