 CHANGING FORTUNES
Auto Rout
Though 2000 was a record year for many carmakers in terms of sales, profits remain elusive. U.S. auto companies have already been clobbered on the stock exchange; now it's Europe's turn. While luxury carmakers like BMW are confident sales will hold up, analysts are predicting a 2% decline overall, with huge overcapacity making the lower end of the market even more competitive. That's good news for consumers, who can expect lower car prices this year. But it's bad news for people like Ferdinand Piëch, ceo of Volkswagen, Europe's largest carmaker. Despite the predicted downturn, France's Peugeot and Japan's Nissan are likely to expand their market share thanks to innovative designs.
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The Year Ahead
Politics
Business
Investing
Trends
- Fewer Marriages
- The German Exception
- Italy Awakes
- More Takeovers
- Auto Rout
- Luxury Goods Sale
- Euro Revival
- Oil Pressure
- Japan Opens
- Eastern Revival
- China Boom
Viewpoint: Pass the Buck
Technology
Arts & Media
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