GM sees auto industry slowing in Middle East

DUBAI - Reuters

A worker assembles a car inside the General Motors German unit.

General Motors expects the automobile industry in the Middle East to show growth that is sustainable, but at a slower rate than in the last few years, hurt by uncertainty and political crisis in markets such as Egypt and Syria.

The U.S. automaker temporarily closed its Egyptian assembly plant outside of Cairo last month, and shut its local office, after deadly clashes between security forces and supporters of ousted president Mohamed Mursi. It later reopened them but was still monitoring the situation closely.

“For the entire Middle East market we see growth continuing...maybe not at the rates at which we been growing over the past few years of 7 to 9 percent but still a sustainable growth at 4 to 5 percent,” John Stadwick, president and managing director of GM in the Middle East told reporters at a media gathering on Sept. 1. A growing youth population with rising incomes, and high oil prices mean growth would continue despite deteriorating conditions, he added.

GM has shifted focus from its home base and is eyeing a larger presence in emerging markets as well as the Middle East.