Debtwire Radio

The US automotive industry has undergone a rapid (and arguably unanticipated) response since the USD 81bn bailout that began more than a decade ago. After sinking to a low of nearly 10m units in 2009 (the lowest level since 1982), annual light-duty vehicle sales in the US steadily increased to 17.4m units in 2015, and have exceeded 17m units in each of the past four years. But what goes up must ultimately come down. In 1H19, light-duty vehicle sales declined 1%-2% YoY and the market is projected to miss 17m units for the full year. Much of the fatigue the industry faces is due to the uncertainty confounding the marketplace, marked by SUV superiority, “Dieselgate,” the fall of hybrids and the unanticipated embrace of electrification. Given this, Debtwire’s Richard Goldman recently welcomed Steve Wolf, President and Chief Commercial Officer for Hilco Industrial, and Keith Spacapan, Vice President of Hilco Valuation Services’ automotive practice, to the latest episode of Debtwire Radio to discuss the state