A 40% Rise in Lead Costs has Presented a Challenge to Manufacturers of Lead-Acid Automotive Starter Batteries

DUBLIN, Ireland--Aug. 3, 20050, 2005--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c23390) has announced the addition of Global Market Review of Automotive Batteries - Forecasts To 2011 to their offering.

This second edition review of vehicle batteries is 50% larger than the first edition; it provides forecast data to 2011 and increased analysis, giving you excellent value for money.

A number of factors are shaping the lead-acid automotive starter battery market. A 40% rise in lead costs has presented a challenge to manufacturers, domination of the global market by four companies, mergers and acquisitions has increased companies' market shares and imported batteries from Tiger economies are challenging European manufacturers.

It is certainly a challenging market as an auto executive states: "Due to the pressure of the market, it is not possible to get the price increases. If you look at the long-term material market, plastic depends on oil and yet oil, energy and lead costs are increasing. Labour costs are also increasing. We are trying to offset this with better efficiency and productivity but then this creates an over-capacity in the market which is pressuring on the price."

This second edition review of vehicle batteries extends upon previous analysis in chapter two by forecasting market value of starter batteries and hybrid batteries. Chapter three sets out some recent technical advances and trends while chapter four provides brief profiles of the major producers namely, Delphi Corp, Exide Technologies, Fiamm, GS Yuasa Corp, Johnson Controls and Shin-Kobe Electric Machinery.

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c23390