Bosch, Conti, other top 30 suppliers make gains in 2011 total Europe sales
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Last year was very successful for the biggest suppliers to automakers in Europe. Overall, 2011 sales in Europe by suppliers in the top 30 increased 19 percent to $180.6 billion from $151.4 billion in 2010, according to Automotive News Europe data. Only two of the top 30 partsmakers reported a decline in European sales last year.
At the top, Robert Bosch widened its sales lead over rival Continental in Europe by about 700 million euros last year. Bosch reported sales in Europe of $21.5 billion. Continental was second last year with a European sales volume of $15.9 billion and France's Faurecia finished No. 3 with sales of $14.0 billion in Europe. Rounding out the top five were Magna International ($12.2 billion) and ZF Friedrichshafen ($10.9 billion).
Bosch's European sales lead over Continental grew to $5.6 billion last year from $4.9 billion in 2010. Bosch also finished 2011 as the world's No. 1 supplier based on sales with a global volume of $39.8 billion. Denso Corp. was the world's second-largest supplier in 2011 based on global sales of $34.1 billion. (For full table, click on the PDF below)
On the rise
BASF, a supplier of coatings, catalysts, engineered plastics and polyurethanes, climbed two spots to No. 8 in the 2011 ranking because of a 42 percent rise in sales to $7.4 billion. Since 2009, the German company has risen six spots in the ranking by more than doubling European sales from $3.4 billion in 2009.
Hella made the biggest year-on-year increase in European sales among companies in the top 30. Helped by strong demand from premium automakers for its LED technology, the German lighting and electronic supplier's sales rose 78 percent to $3.5 billion, helping it jump to No. 20 from No. 27 in 2010.
Suppliers provided most of the data for the ranking. Some companies' sales were estimated. The numbers do not include non-automotive, aftermarket or heavy-duty truck sales. Sales are in dollars, converted when necessary from other currencies.
You can reach Douglas A. Bolduc at dbolduc@crain.com.
