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Electromobility promises suppliers more added value / A material shift when the engine compartment cools? / Battery shortage could be test for Europe / McKinsey report: Automotive software market to grow by 250% by 2030

“Geneva International Motor Show” 2021 also cancelled / Strong commitments for “IAA” in Munich

Associations call on EU commission for bold post-crisis recovery plan / Suppliers face falling revenues and rising debt across Europe due to Covid-19

Industry takes a hard hit from Covid-19 / Many converters need the “ventilation” provided by the government

Historically weak December takes German manufacturers' figures deep into the red / Pressure even before Covid-19 / Three scenarios for the sector in 2020 / Commitment to the “Green Deal”

Supply chains remain unreliable / Volatile demand affecting production more than usual / Suppliers expect at least 20-30% lower sales for the year / Losses inevitable

Munich comes out on top / Concept for fusion of trade fair and the city

The Frankfurt “IAA” is now history / Second round for candidates Berlin, Hamburg and Munich

Global stagnation / “The road will be steep, stony and arduous” / New boss of German association receives support from the industry / Favourite cities for IAA to be named by end of January

Reinventing the wheel for the “IAA” / Mobility platform instead of just passenger cars / Competition between Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich and Stuttgart

New "Alveobloc" block foam targets automotive applications requiring low emissions

Winds of change / Alternative mobility concepts compete with petrolheads at "IAA" / Suppliers more realistic than their big customers / Industry's "new beginning" mantra torn apart by double standards

Global prospects for 2019 at best subdued / Job losses and plant closures expected / European manufacturers face big decisions

Big engines, individualised cars roar at “IAA 2015” / Small combustion engines steal the show from e-vehicles / OEMs favour structural parts made of steel and aluminium / GFRP and CFRP deemed too expensive / Hybrid materials pose a challenge for recycling

Suppliers suffer the brunt of declining sales figures / Growth driver China shows signs of weakness / Will the lull drag on until 2015?

Composites/GRP June 2012: Ortho resins in weak rollover / Feedstock costs down / Converters expect rebates in July / Glass fibre notations defy producers‘ attempts to push through increases

Composites/GRP November 2011: Downward momentum continues for resins / Most corrections take place at upper end / Demand begins to soften / European market is expected to see little movement in December

Focus remains on mass markets of Russia, China and India / CAFE standard will drive the switch to new materials in USA / Lightweight construction a key topic at IAA / Will global sales stagnate in 2012?

2010 boom was bought with government money / Only China and India see genuine growth / Weight ratio of plastics used in cars on the decline / Most popular engineering polymers take a breather despite strong demand

Car sales in western Europe rise significantly / Demand still poor in eastern Europe / Fewer supplier insolvencies / Plastics availability now a bigger problem than financing