Automotive OEM Coatings Market

While the mature markets of North America, Western Europe and Japan own nearly all the automotive OEM coatings market in terms of value, their annual growth rates (AGR) remain relatively flat compared to other parts of the world.

The combined value of the world's auto OEM coatings markets, including North America, Western Europe, Japan, China, India, Eastern Europe, Australia and South America, Mexico included, totaled $8.971 billion in 2007, according to Chemark Consulting.

North America was valued at $2.65 billion with an AGR of 0.6% from 2006-07. Western Europe� was valued at $2.5 billion and showed 2.5% growth. Japan represented the third largest market and fastest growth rate of the three at $2.15 billion and 3.7% respectively.

Together these three markets represent $7.3 billion leaving the remaining� $1.671 billion in market share spread among the other regions mentioned above.

While China, India and Eastern Europe represent small dollar values compared to the leaders at $510 million, $261 million and $331 million respectively, their AGR's tell a much different story. �

China's posted d