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just-auto.com: Automotive Glass Aftermarket Reeling Under Price Competition

5 December 2000

just-auto.com: Automotive Glass Aftermarket Reeling Under Price Competition

    LONDON, Dec. 5 http://www.just-auto.com -- After two years
of turmoil, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the US automotive
glass aftermarket.
    In a special report at
http://www.just-auto.com/features_detail.asp?art=359 , Frost & Sullivan
examine the tumultuous times the market has experienced because of severe cost
pressures.
    Competitive price pressures have forced manufacturers to reduce fixed
costs and trim margins, and affected distributors and retailers.  Companies
have been forced to close retail facilities and reduce staff.
    A trend of consolidation, both at manufacture and distributor level, is
expected to continue in the coming years, giving the opportunity to merge
operations, and improve capacity utilisation without increasing fixed costs,
thereby enabling companies to be more competitive.
    But, according to Frost & Sullivan, the biggest saviour for the industry
will be technology:  "In the future, car owners may be connecting with their
mobile phone service, global positioning systems and even e-mail through their
windshields.  That would be a boon for automotive glass manufacturers," they
state.
    For the full report, including total automotive glass after market unit
shipment and revenue forecasts, click here:
http://www.just-auto.com/features_detail.asp?art=359

    just-auto.com is the premier online portal for automotive industry
professionals worldwide.  Targeted specifically at industry and business
professionals the site provides a single point of reference for independent
automotive industry information.

    For more information, please contact:
    David Leggett, just-auto.com Managing Editor - david@just-auto.com
    Amanda Smithson, Marketing Manager - amanda.smithson@just-sites.com
    Telephone: +44-1386-383000
    Fax: +44-1386-47073