Auto production trends are weakening due in part to the troubles in Europe.

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AutoNation is bound to continue benefiting from the improving trends in the auto industry, and should help boost its stock to higher levels.

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As trends of strengthening global auto production and emissions regulations continue, Honda said, the company anticipates demand for platinum, palladium and rhodium to keep rising in the future.

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In particular, UBS noted concerns that there could be trouble looming for chip companies with big exposure to the consumer electronics, PC and auto sectors, given weak spending trends.

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In these calls lately, Browning has been consistent in his characterization of the U.S. auto market as one that remains somewhat dicey even though trends look pretty good at the moment.

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Which is why the Los Angeles Auto Show, which opened late last week, makes an excellent place for spotting trends.

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