Brian Ambrose Quotations

It was the best year as far as vehicles produced and sold, probably one of the worst in terms of corresponding profitability.

In a down economy, our survey has found executives always pushing profitability a few years out, and this year is no different. But what the executives are telling us this year is that they have seen the worst and that the industry is poised for a rebound.

We are seeing the convergence of improved economic conditions, the leveling off of sales incentives and the huge amount of new vehicle launches scheduled over the next few years all playing a factor.

Our survey this year has definitely found improved profit levels emerging sooner rather than later, and this is very encouraging.

North American manufacturers have really focused on product, launching a wide variety of new and exciting model offerings, ... In the end the consumer wins, in terms of choice, product quality and affordability.

Who is going to gain market share in future? When we polled those in the industry 70 percent of respondents said Asian manufacturers, and 51 percent said European would gain. Only 20 percent said North American manufacturers would gain,

They think incentives will be leveling off. With all the new models being launched in next 12 to 18 months, they will not need incentives to spur sales.

In prior years, saddled with heavy incentives and a sagging economy, industry executives pushed profitability out as far as they could. Our survey this year has definitely found improved profit levels emerging sooner rather than later, and this is very encouraging.

I think they have some very difficult challenges over the next three years. The silver lining is if they continue to reduce costs and strive for flexible manufacturing, they can see a return to profits even without the sales levels of 2000. But the Asian brands and European brands aren't sitting still either.