Ten largest automakers on growth path

Apr 12, 2010 | 01:57 PM | Corinna Petry

Given the high barriers to entry, the 10 largest global automakers—currently accounting for more than 77 percent of worldwide production—are likely to hold on to their market share and even grow their shares during the next decade, according to a new report by Zacks Equity Research.

Among the 10 largest automakers, Toyota Motor Corp. leads with a 13.3-percent market share, the Chicago-based investment research house said. It is followed by General Motors Co.'s 11.9-percent share; the Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.-Renault SA alliance, with 8.4 percent; Ford Motor Co.'s 7.8-percent share; the Chrysler Group LLC-Fiat SpA venture, which hold 6.4 percent; Honda Motor Co. Ltd., with 5.6 percent; and Suzuki Motor Corp., with 3.8 percent.

"The recent economic crisis has provided an impetus to a massive structural change in the auto industry, setting the stage for growth over the next decade. Given the high barriers to entry and the need for scale economies (in operations, supply chain and marketing), the global auto industry landscape is expected to be ruled by global automakers and suppliers based in the six major auto markets—China, India, Japan, (South) Korea, Western Europe and the U.S.," the Zacks research team said in the report.....