Looking back on 2010 83% of companies note positive figures in comparison to the previous year and predict an increase in sales of over 10% for 2011. Armin Gehl, head of automotive.saarland, sees the Saarland supply industry in a very good position for the next years: "Saarland is Germany's third largest automobile industry supplier, in particular in the staff, products and know-how sectors." Short term work has paid off for 71% of automobile companies. This has enabled the retention of skilled workers and permanent employees. Smaller companies are however critical of the unaltered higher incidental wage costs associated with short term work. Over half of those questioned would like to increase their workforce in 2011. No companies stated they wanted to lay off staff.

The issue of lack of skilled staff is increasingly coming to the fore. 43% of companies have already been affected by this and two thirds agree that there will soon be a lack of skilled staff. A shortage is primarily expected in professions such as toolmakers, industrial mechanics and metal workers. In addition engineers and IT professionals also belong to the professions highly in demand.

Saarland Economics Minister Dr Christoph Hartmann commented on the results of the survey: "Saarland is known for its high level of expertise in the automobile sector. Companies and politics must now develop new strategies in light of demographic change in order to be also able to continue to grow this important sector in the future. I am pleased that the firms want to take on new staff. The Economics Ministry will continue to support the automobile industry with development and further training."

The entrepreneurs themselves are confident about liquidity. Only one in seven of those surveyed criticised the banks' restrictive lending.