The prognosis for auto asset-backed securitization ratings appears to be good for 2010.
Today, rating agency DBRS offered an update on the auto ABS market, and its forecast was positive for the sector.
Ratings performance on auto ABS is expected to be stable in 2010. Over the past two years, much of the ratings volatility that occurred in the auto ABS space was attributable to the downgrade of the monoline insurers (affecting mainly the subprime sector) and the corporate struggles of General Motors Company/GMAC and Chrysler LLC/Chrysler Financial. In 2010, auto ABS ratings should be tied more closely to consumer behavior than in the past as the monoline insurer downgrades have already been taken into account and the U.S. auto manufacturers appear to be on more solid footing.
That may be true overall, but I still wonder whether the population of issuers will expand. A vibrant auto finance industry depends on a diverse population of issuers. I hope that entrepreneurial spirit returns to auto finance.
