Lesson 1: STATISTICAL INDICATORS FOR VEHICLE MARKET and PROBLEMS OF VEHICLES AT THE END OF THEIR LIFE CYCLE

In this lesson, we’ll explore key statistical indicators related to the vehicle market and the challenges associated with managing vehicles at the end of their life cycle.

Statistical Indicators for the Vehicle Market

  • Monitoring the active vehicle fleet provides valuable insights into vehicle trends.
  • Tracking newly produced and sold vehicles helps identify those reaching the end of their life cycle.
  • Post-World War II, vehicle production witnessed substantial growth, reaching 58 million units in 2000.
  • Recent years have seen an even more significant surge, with around 90 million units produced in 2014.
  • Estimates for 2016 indicate further growth, with 95 million units produced.
  • Despite a temporary decline in 2008-2009 due to the global financial crisis, vehicle production has steadily risen.
  • Projections suggest this upward trend will continue.

Analysis of Vehicles in Use

  • Official data over the past decade reveals a 30% increase in the total number of vehicles in use.
  • In 2005, approximately 892 million vehicles were in use worldwide.
  • By 2015, this number had surged to 1 billion 282 million units.
  • This rapid growth highlights the global dependence on vehicles for transportation.

Shift in Manufacturing

  • In the last 20 years, manufacturing has shifted from primarily the United States, Europe, Japan, and South Korea to include South America and Asia, notably China.
  • Production facilities are now distributed more evenly worldwide.

Problems of Vehicles at the End of Their Life Cycle

  • As vehicles have become integral to human life, their disposal poses significant challenges and potential hazards.
  • Environmental Impact:
    • Unregulated disposal can lead to environmental pollution.
    • Vehicle corrosion may result in fluid leaks, releasing harmful substances.
    • Traffic accidents also contribute to environmental damage.
  • Fading of Raw Material Resources:
    • Vehicle production relies heavily on steel, a finite resource.
    • The increasing demand for vehicles strains steel resources.
    • Rapid technological advancements may deplete resources more quickly.

 

  • Accumulation of Vehicles at the End of Life:
    • Over 40 million vehicles reached the end of their life cycle in 2015.
    • Proper disposal measures are essential to prevent the planet from becoming an extensive junkyard.
    • Exporting used vehicles to non-European Union countries is common, but it doesn’t solve the long-term problem.

Conclusion

  • Statistical indicators provide insights into the vehicle market’s growth and challenges.
  • The increasing number of vehicles necessitates responsible end-of-life disposal practices to avoid environmental harm.
  • Additionally, the industry must consider the sustainability of raw materials and resources.
  • Strategies for managing vehicles at the end of their life cycle are essential for environmental preservation.
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