As we enter another year, let's be thankful that we're associated with forklifts and not that other form of powered vehicle - the automotive sector. While things may seem tough for forklift manufacturers and vendors, spare a thought for the once-mighty car industry, where global brands are being reduced to charity cases. As we see in the industry review in this week's newsletter, there have been some demanding times - but there has also been a fair amount of consolidation which should prepare the industry to weather the economic storm we're going through. There's plenty of optimism around, fueled by a belief in innovation, quality and service. And the diversity of the forklift market is another key lifeline for all. So while some analysts are painting a grim picture, it's worth remembering the saying: when the going gets tough, the tough get going! Let's hope they've already done so, and that we get through these challenges and quickly return to the good times.