A slowdown in global car sales is expected to emerge in 2007 following a slowdown in growth of the global economy, according to research company Aroq. Car demand prospects remain weak in W Europe, the report says, but rising replacement & market growth in S Europe give support to the long-term forecast. Emerging markets present the main opportunity for long-term car sales growth & are expected to propel global car sales to over 60M units by 2009. These markets include Brazil, China, India & Russia. S Korea stands out in Asia as point of weakness on a continent whose prospects are otherwise extremely positive. China's sheer force of numbers presets the major long-term demand growth opportunity, & Aroq believes rising replacement purchases as well as growing new demand will push the market there to over 6M units by 2009. Russia is expected to have its otherwise solid prospects for car demands clouded by risks surrounding its economy.
