Survey: What factor could affect manufacturer profits the most in 2019?

08 February 2019

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Daimler recently shared its end of year results, showing a decrease in profits across 2018. CEO Dieter Zetsche cautioned about a number of ′headwinds’ that the company would face in 2019, which could also affect profits.

The German manufacturer will not be the only one to face a tricky 2019. Jaguar Land Rover is cutting jobs, as is Ford, as both companies reorganise following tough trading in 2018. Zetsche highlighted WLTP, Brexit, electrification and autonomous development as some of the main challenges this year. We at Autovista Group would therefore like your views.

Will WLTP continue to be the biggest drain on finances this year, or will Brexit sap the monetary strength of carmakers? Or could autonomous development, general research or the continued collapse of the diesel market cause numbers to fall?