When it is worse than it was last year. . .

By Gary S. Vasilash

According to LMC Automotive, global light vehicle sales in September 2021 were 6,229,029 units—which is down 20.3% compared with September 2020.

Think about that.

2020, which will be forever known as the year COVID hammered the world, had higher September sales than in September 2021. (Read that again.)

In the U.S. sales were comparatively down 25.1%. Canada was off 19.9%. Western and Eastern Europe down 24.2% and 20.9%, respectively. Japan down 32.2% and Korea off 30.5%. China sales were down 16.5%. Brazil/Argentina off 26.1%. And wherever Other is, that is down 11.3%.

Essentially, this all goes to the lack of microprocessor supply the world over.

Historically, it would be something like energy prices or a lack of steel driving a diminishing of sales.

But no, silicon.

Yes, the world’s auto industry is advanced, given the evident dependence on chips.