Supply Chain Research

The U.S. auto industry’s struggles reemerged in December after sales of cars and trucks fell 5% on a year earlier leading to a 2% fall for 2017 overall. Imported vehicle sales actually improved with a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of increase of 0.5%, led by sales of Volkswagen and Mitsubishi vehicles. Overseas manufacturers appear to remain optimistic in the short-term, with seaborne shipments (for sales in January) having risen 14% on a year earlier. That’s been led by a 57% surge in imports from South Korea. The increase may be borne of concerns held by Hyundai and Kia about the out...