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    Market Segment

    February 22, 2023

    North American Auto Assemblies Recover in January

    Written by David Schollaert

    North American auto assemblies rose 16.1% in January, recovering for the first time in three months. Last month’s assembly output was among one of the highest in nearly two years and 13.8% higher year on year (YoY), according to LMC Automotive data.

    On the supply side, inventory levels are expected to gradually improve this year as easing supply constraints alleviate production bottlenecks. This should help to satiate some of the pent-up demand in the market. However, higher interest rates, a slowing labor market, and an existing inventory mix that skews towards higher price models will prevent a full return to pre-pandemic sales levels this year.

    David Schollaert

    David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. David joined SMU after more than a decade in the metals and mining industry in a myriad of different roles. Much of his early experience and expertise were within the coverage and analysis of steel-making raw materials and served previously as senior editor of the CRU Prices Service. Most recently, however, before his return to market analysis, David held roles as a metals buyer and an operations manager for raw material suppliers. He can be contacted at david@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-720-1008.

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