Press release

June 4, 2007

Upswing also continues in the automotive industry

Independent service companies more satisfied than contracted ones

Würzburg, June 5, 2007

Suddenly the gap in the automotive industry is widening. The mood is rising among independent service companies and falling among their brand-affiliated colleagues. This is confirmed by the current "kfz-betrieb" industry index BIX, which is a reliable barometer of sentiment for the entire automotive industry.

The BIX rose by five points for independent service companies in May, while the curve for contract-based car dealerships slipped slightly. Nevertheless, both indices remained at a relatively high level at 125 and 105 points respectively. The reason for this is the continuing economic upturn.

Even though the VAT increase and the weak first two months put a damper on companies, 48% of independent workshop owners still rated their current situation as "good". In contrast, the mood among franchised dealers is a little gloomy. Only 28 percent of them rated their business situation as a "two". However, dealers selling German premium brands were more satisfied than the average ("good" = 42 percent). According to the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), the weak order intake in the new car business is mainly due to the expiry of some incentive programs.

Almost 30 percent of new car dealers in eastern Germany and 27 percent in western Germany predict that their sales will be higher in the coming month. A total of 38 percent of contract partners expect sales in the service business to increase. Only 5 percent of them believe that workshop turnover in June will be lower than in the same month last year.

"kfz-betrieb" is a trade magazine published by Vogel Auto Medien, Würzburg. The most widely read trade magazine in the automotive industry celebrated its 95th anniversary in 2005 and is the official organ of the German Motor Trade (ZDK), the professional lobby for over 40,000 car dealerships and workshops.

If you have any questions, please contact

Norbert Rubbel

Editor Service & Technology

Editorial office "kfz-betrieb" weekly journal & online

Vogel Auto Media

97064 Würzburg

Phone +49 931 418-26 34

Fax +49 931 418-20 50

E-mail: norbert_rubbel@vogel-automedien.de

Your contact person

Gunther Schunk

Corporate Communications
Vogel Communications Group GmbH & Co. KG

Phone: 0931 418-2245
E-mail: info@vogel.de

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