Automotive Newsletter Q3 2018

M&A and financial market statistics in the automotive industry

In Q3 2018, M&A activity decreased compared to Q2 2018. The number of completed deals declined by approx. 30% and the aggregated deal value of completed transactions reduced to c. €2bn.

M&A and capital raising activity in the areas of electric vehicles, autonomous driving and connectivity solutions is steadily increasing, not only by strategic investors, but also driven by financial investors such as private equity funds, venture capital, family offices and private investors.

In Q3 2018, automotive multiples increased slightly in Europe with EV/EBITDA multiples rising 3% and EV/EBIT multiples increasing by 1%. In North America and Asia multiples decreased: EV/EBITDA declined by 2% in North America and by 2% in Asia whilst EV/EBIT stayed the same in North America and contracted by 1% in Asia.

From a sub-sector perspective, automotive engineering multiples developed best between Q2 and Q3 2018 given a 16% increase in EV/EBITDA and are predicted to rise 29% during 2019.

Due to the current political tensions between the US and Chinese administration in terms of trade tariffs, we are observing an even increasing focus of Chinese strategic acquirers on European companies.

Automotive Newsletter Q3 2018 Deal Volume
Automotive Newsletter Q3 2018 Bond Issuances

Read more in our latest Automotive Newsletter.

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