Fear of war causes some carmakers to stockpile parts.(Cover Story)

Byline: David Sedgwick, Bradford Wernle Automotive News Europe

Automakers and suppliers are taking steps to insulate themselves from uncertainties posed by a shaky economy, rising oil prices and a possible war in Iraq.

Companies are cutting production, stockpiling components and upgrading security.

European sales have slowed dramatically and traffic in Europe's showrooms is down.

February car sales in Europe were running at a rate of barely more than 14 million units per year. Sales were almost 4 percent lower than the same month last year, according to J.D. Power-LMC ...