Higher oil prices slowed the economy in the first half of this year. But I don’t expect things to get a whole lot worse.
One of the first places that higher oil prices can affect the economy is through auto sales. The number of light vehicles sold in the United States in June was 6.9% higher than June of last year. But June 2010 was weak relative to 2010:Q2-Q3, and the last two months clearly signal some softness in auto sales, with oil prices likely one contributing factor.
However, this is quite different from the rapid flight from domestically manufactured vehicles that we saw in 2008. Hardest hit at the moment are Toyota, Honda, and Isuzu, whose year-over-year U.S. sales were down more than 20%. Supply problems in Japan are presumably an important factor.
Furthermore, the recent declines in oil prices should make the third quarter a little easier than the second. It’s worth emphasizing, however, that the lower gasoline prices that consumers are currently enjoying have nothing at all to do with the strategic petroleum reserve drawdown announced two weeks ago. In fact, crude prices at the moment are back about where they were before the SPR announcement. Amazingly (but I suppose predictably), are claiming this proves the market is all driven by speculation.
Americans are now seeing lower gasoline prices not because of the SPR release, but instead as the result of more fundamental developments I commented on two months ago, whose implications have finally worked their way through to retail gasoline prices.
San Diego Historical Gas Price Charts Provided by GasBuddy.com
And so if nothing else goes wrong– quite a big if, I know– the economy should do better in the second half than the first.
Similar Posts:
- Audi, BMW exports to China soar as world’s largest car market booms
- Toronto Market Steady in October
- Oil above US$106 on Middle East conflict
- Classic Car Insurance is it Really as Expensive as the Car Itself?
- How do You Know That Your PA Car Insurance Policy is the Best? Does the Quotes Say it All?
