SBWire

BMI forecasts 5.8% growth in vehicle sales in Mexico in 2014 on the back of an expected 5.4% increase in passenger car sales and 6.5% growth in the commercial vehicle (CV) segment.

Early sales trends show that 2014 will be a very challenging year for automakers operating in the Algerian market, in line with BMI's forecasts. In Q114, new vehicle sales were down by nearly 30% year-on-year (y-o-y), to 85,000 units, according to an April 2014 report in El Watan. Auto imports were reportedly down by over 50% in January alone. Even the annual motor show, held in March, failed to provide a lift to sales, with dealerships reportedly having to slash prices in order to gain customers. Underlining the precarious state of the market, the local Libert? newspaper has quoted the President of the ACAA, Abderrezzak Lachachi, as stating that several dealerships will close this year.

Sales

According to Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries (Gaikindo), domestic vehicle sales in March 2014 came in at 113,079 units, an increase of 17.8% year-on-year (y-o-y). Sales were boosted by the low-cost green car (LCGC) segment. This brought total Q114 sales to 328,354 units an increase of 10.9% y-o-y. For 2014, we forecast auto sales to grow 7.1%, to 1.32mn units.

Latest GDP figures show that the Vietnamese economy grew by 5.0% year-on-year (y-o-y) in Q1 2014, and we believe that our 2014 real GDP growth forecast of 5.9% remains in sight. Indeed, we believe that increased macroeconomic stability, combined with pro-growth policies will help the economy accelerate from 2013 levels. Key downside risks to this view include a faster-than-anticipated slowdown in China, as well as the stalling of the country's reform drive. With China being Vietnam's second top export partner, behind the US, such a slowdown would have a detrimental effect on Vietnam's shipping industry.

Motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers market grows at CAGR of 9% over 2007-2012 to reach SR115.4 billion in latter year. Saudi Arabia does not have established motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers industry and import penetration stands at 90% of market value in 2012. Industry fragmented, as four largest companies generate only approximately a third of total production. Industry forecast to grow at 6% CAGR over forecast period, driven by low tax rates and growing disposable incomes. Sales of motor vehicles in Saudi Arabia expected to reach one million units by 2020.

The market expanded nine-fold over the review period, to reach a value of SR1.1 billion in 2012 with demand fuelled by investments in the rail infrastructure. Saudi Arabia does not have a local industry and imports account for 97% of the market's value in 2012. Saudi Arabia plans to invest SR365 billion in rail infrastructure by 2040. The industry is expected to reach turnover of SR71 million in 2018 as imports will continue to account for the lion's share of the market.

Air transport market grows at CAGR of 3% over 2007-2012 to reach SR40 billion in latter year. Short-haul transportation accounts for 60% of passenger volumes. Despite market liberalisation, low-cost carriers still represent only a tiny niche. Industry concentrated with Saudi Arabian Airlines representing more than half of total production. Industry forecast to grow at CAGR 4% over forecast period, driven by increasing demand for short-haul routes and growing flow of migrant workers.

Industry statistics reveal Class 5 truck sales have shown a steady increase over the last 4 years, bringing last year's total to approximately 150,000. This uptick spans the full range of top heavy duty equipment manufacturers with Ford, Chrysler, Isuzu and International dominating this sector of the market. In light of the heightened demand for these trucks, a representative of Utility Fleet Sales has launched a series of monthly manager's specials on specific trucks in their lineup.

J.R. Mats Inc. announced expanded availability of its flagship Country Club Elite golf mats. Thanks to improved agreements with international shippers, golfers in more countries than ever can enjoy the game-enhancing construction of the company's practice mats. As the most natural-feeling golf mats on the market, the company's products have developed strong worldwide followings among amateur and professional golfers.

Based in Maryland, USA, Great Nation Van Lines MD Movers is offering quality moving services to interested clients at great prices. Over the years, the premier moving company has been catering to myriad clients and their moving related requirements with absolute professionalism. The company has a highly dedicated team of professionals who provide 24/7 assistance to the clients who assign their move to the company. Folks at Great Nation Van Lines MD Movers have served hundreds of clients in Maryland for their domestic and interstate moves.

When looking at the total system involved in DSD (direct store delivery), one must consider the most cost-effective way to deliver products. As with bulk delivery, when orders are built by the customer, directly onto a pallet and then loaded into trailers, delivery drivers experience less physical activity, are in and out of the store faster, and orders are more accurate.

Vehicle sales in Venezuela declined 87.5% y-o-y, to 3,213 units, in Q114 as the increasingly poor economic outlook also impacts the demand side of the sector. Inflation is running very high, eroding consumers' purchasing power and appetite for big ticket purchases, such as new cars. High interest rates curtail demand for vehicle loans, and the ongoing weakness in the Venezuelan bolivar (and further weakness in the unofficial exchange rate) increasingly makes vehicle imports more expensive in local currency terms

The overall market sales rise by 114% since 2007 as the annual pace slows from double digit rates to 7% in 2009. Transportation of petroleum and natural gas generates 86% of the industry's turnover in 2012; meanwhile transportation of other liquids, mainly water, remains a faster developing category. Almost 51% of the industry's output is exported in 2012 with total exports up by 88% since 2007. Profit margins are up to 71% of turnover in 2012 while the Saudi Arabian Oil Corporation dominates the industry. A 10% CAGR in total turnover is projected over 2013-2018, while transportation of other liquids category will develop slightly faster, but remain niche.

We are forecasting that the Nigerian economy will expand by 7.0% in 2014, up from an estimated 6.7% in 2013 thanks to continued strong expansion in non-oil sectors. This positive environment is set to feed into the country's shipping industry, which is set to enjoy a healthy 12 months. The positive impact of agriculture mean that this important sector should contribute strongly to private consumption growth. The risks to our view are to the downside and stem from the political risk and policy uncertainty.

It is our view that the Australian economy is not yet out of the woods, despite improving near-term economic indicators and more optimistic sentiment in the financial markets. With the capital investment in the mining sector set to slow significantly, and worth almost twice the size of work in the residential real estate market, we do not expect increased investment in the housing sector and related-spillover effects to be sufficient. With our expectations for the unemployment rate to take a turn for the worse in the coming months, we expect real GDP growth to slow further to 2.0% in 2014, from 2.4% in 2013.

According to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), auto production in Japan rose 7.1% y-o-y in February 2014 (latest available), to 863,397 units, bringing output for the first two months of 2014 to 1,724,251 units, an increase of 10.7% year-on-year (y-o-y).

BMI View: In 2014, we forecast a 2.2% increase in vehicle sales. This comes from a 2% forecasted uptick in the passenger car segment, and 3.2% increase in commercial vehicle (CV) sales.

According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), total auto sales - including passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles (CVs) - declined 9.8% in FY2013/14 (April-March), to 3,134,204 units. This was the first contraction in the market since 2008.

Export-Led Recovery Is Gaining Strength

Bondi Removals announces thier impeccable furniture removal in Sydney at the best prices possible. The company is well-known for their quality service which is always on time. They offer outstanding furniture removal and storage services, both at the local and interstate level, to make things simpler for the customers. They offer value-added packing services so that the belongings remain absolutely safe. They further provide supply boxes and other packing materials. They operate actively to all eastern Sydney suburbs, such as Vauclus and Randwick.

The New Orleans maritime lawyers at The Lambert Firm recently launched a new section of their website to better assist maritime clients.

MarketLines' TNT Express N.V. (formerly TPG N.V.) Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Partnerships & Alliances and Investments report includes business description, detailed reports on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), divestments, capital raisings, venture capital investments, ownership and partnership transactions undertaken by TNT Express N.V. (formerly TPG N.V.) since January 2007. These reports offer a comprehensive breakdown of the organic and inorganic growth activity undertaken by an organization to sustain its competitive advantage.

MarketLines' Eitzen Holding AS Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Partnerships & Alliances and Investments report includes business description, detailed reports on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), divestments, capital raisings, venture capital investments, ownership and partnership transactions undertaken by Eitzen Holding AS since January 2007. These reports offer a comprehensive breakdown of the organic and inorganic growth activity undertaken by an organization to sustain its competitive advantage.

Over 2007-2012, Saudi Arabia's market for transport via railways records average growth of 7% per year due to increasing transportation needs associated with a growing population, pilgrimage needs and industrial expansion. The industry of transport via railways recorded a CAGR of 6% during 2007-2012 reaching a value of SR203 million in 2012 as a result of large-scale government programmes aimed at infrastructural developments. The industry is monopolised by Saudi Railways Organization which manages roughly 98% of the industry's revenue. The industry is expected to grow by a CAGR of 7% during 2013-2018 owing to numerous development projects that aim to expand the Kingdom's railways network by nearly 10,000 kilometres making it the most active rail market in the world.