The Automotive Quarterly report for December 2018 shows that the global automotive industry is facing uncertainty due to a potential trade war and a disorderly Brexit. The Stoxx Europe 600 index has lost 3.5%, while the STOXX Global 3000 index has dropped 10.2%. European manufacturers are under pressure due to Brexit and trade disputes, as their plants in China and the United States are facing double export restrictions. Additionally, the introduction of the new WLTP test standard and increased investments in electric mobility and autonomous driving are causing significant challenges for the industry. Audi and Daimler have experienced significant revenue declines in Q3, with Audi down 6.9% and Daimler down 7.2%. Both companies are experiencing negative volume effects due to the WLTP transition, with Daimler showing signs of stabilization in Q4, while Volkswagen and Audi are expected to face further Q4 challenges due to prior year's write-offs. Toyota has solidly increased its revenue by 6.4%, while the gap between Toyota and Volkswagen has widened to over 13 billion euros (an increase of 20% compared to the previous year). Ford and General Motors are expected to see significant profits, with Ford benefiting from strong domestic sales and European growth, while GM is expected to see double-digit growth.
