The Happy Bend?

It’s a season of such pleasant surprises that many automaker executives are still rubbing their eyes in disbelief

It’s a season of such pleasant surprises for automakers that many executives around the world are still rubbing their eyes in disbelief. Detroit-survivor Ford recorded positive sales figures after almost two years, and Toyota and BMW both reported results way above expectations. Toyota kept its losses down to $817 million against the expectation of nearly $2 billion. New car registrations in Germany jumped by 27 per cent this year compared to 2008, thanks to a government bonus scheme. Similarly, government incentives helped Toyota’s revamped Prius hybrid become the topselling car in Japan in May and June.