• Strong Growth Spurt in the Fourth Quarter: Fourth quarter global light vehicle sales were up approx. 17% over the final quarter of 2008.
• Effect of Government Stimulus Programs: Polk estimates that over 5 million additional sales were generated in 2009 by temporary scrappage programs, tax incentives and ecological-bonuses around the globe.
• Regional Differences - China Becomes the Engine of the Global Market: Asia will successively consolidate its dominant position in 2010, while Europe will be in for tough year due to its stimulus problem.
• Basic Economic Conditions: The world economic picture today is much brighter than it was at the beginning of last year because of immense demand in the emerging markets, particularly China.

To download Polk’s Global Light Vehicle Forecast Report, click here.