The most produced car in Europe in 2017
- Details
The most produced car in Europe in 2017
- The most produced car in Europe in 2017 is also the most produced car in Germany in 2017, the Volkswagen Golf (619,000 units produced, against 650,000 in 2016).
- The Volkswagen Golf is the most produced model in Europe since the late 70s. It has also been on many occasions the best-selling car in Europe, especially since 2007 without stopping.
- The Volkswagen Golf is produced in Europe on a single site, that of Wolfsburg, historic site of the German brand where the Beetle, which was also the model most produced in Europe for twenty years, was manufactured until 1978. The success of the Golf is not only European but international, since this model is the third most produced in the world (behind the Ford F Series and the Toyota Corolla), with a volume of 923,000 units manufactured. It is also produced in China, Mexico and Brazil.
- The current Golf dates from 2012, this is its seventh generation. The eighth generation is expected to be presented at the Paris Motor Show 2018, before the start of sales scheduled for the first half of 2019. In Europe, the Golf is ahead of the Renault Clio (373 000 units produced) and Nissan Qashqai (301 000). Of the 15 most produced models in Europe in 2017, there are 4 Volkswagen, 2 Opel, 2 Ford, 2 Mercedes, 1 Renault, 1 Nissan, 1 Peugeot, 1 Audi and 1 BMW.
Contact us: info@inovev.com
Skoda plans to build a new plant in Europe
- Details
Skoda plans to build a new plant in Europe
- Skoda (the Czech subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group) plans to increase its production capacity in Europe, as the production volume in recent years is gradually approaching the saturation level of the current plants in the Czech Republic. In addition, the launch of the new Kodiaq SUV (D segment), Karoq (C segment) and ??? (B segment) should logically increase Skoda’s sales and therefore increase production.
- There are several possibilities for Skoda: either increase production capacity at its two existing plants in Europe (MladaBoleslav and Kvasiny), or build a new plant in Europe, probably outside the Czech Republic.
- The first solution seems to be compromised since the unions have so far refused the introduction of additional teams in the two Czech factories, which would have produced an additional 100,000 vehicles per year.
- Another solution had been studied, that of making the Superb model in the German Emden plant (where the VW Passat is produced), but the introduction of the VW Arteon in this plant put an end to this option.
- Therefore the only possible solution now is the construction of a new factory in Europe. Due to the scarcity of manpower available in the Czech Republic and Slovakia (given the number of factories present), Skoda could direct its choice towards Poland or Hungary, or even Bulgaria or Romania.
Contact us: info@inovev.com
The new brand organization at GM, Ford and Chrysler
- Details
The new brand organization at GM, Ford and Chrysler
- With the Buick brand disappearing from the North American market this year, the structure of the former Big Three, GM, Ford and Chrysler, has a whole new look.
- Indeed, each of the three manufacturers has only one general brand (Chevrolet for the first, Ford for the second and Dodge for the third) and a luxury brand (Cadillac for the first, Lincoln for the second and Chrysler for the third). Intermediate brands like Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Mercury and most recently Buick have all disappeared.
- This brand structure is reminiscent of Japanese manufacturers based in North America, such as Toyota (Toyota, Lexus), Nissan (Nissan, Infiniti) and Honda (Honda, Acura).
- There are also the light trucks brands (GMC for GM, Jeep for Chrysler) which are still very much alive. Ram is actually the LCV of the Dodge brand, although recently the FCA group has been considering it a separate brand.
- General brands Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge are not directly threatened, especially thanks to the presence in their range of large pickups Silverado (Chevrolet), Series F (Ford) and Ram (Dodge) which have the highest registrations in the US. The situation is more difficult for the luxury brands, Cadillac, Lincoln and Chrysler, which have been marginalized by the German (Audi, BMW, Mercedes) and Japanese (Lexus, Infiniti, Acura) Premium brands.
Contact us: info@inovev.com
Read more... The new brand organization at GM, Ford and Chrysler
GM, Ford, Chrysler market share remains at its lowest in US market
- Details
GM, Ford, Chrysler market share remains at its lowest in US market
- GM, Ford and Chrysler's market share remains at its lowest level in 2017, standing at 44.4%, virtually the same as the lowest level in 2009 (44.2%), at the most difficult moment of the financial crisis.
- Yet the market share of the three major US manufacturers exceeded 80% in the 70s, before falling to 70% in the 80/90s. This share remained practically stable until 1999, when the Japanese manufacturers started production on American soil under Reagan's presidency, between 1983 and 1990. At the same time, we can see on the bottom right graph that the GM group has suffered much more than Ford or Chrysler in those years. Indeed, GM lost 15 market points between 1980 and 1999, while Ford gained 5 and Chrysler 7, hence the marginalization of brands Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Buick that have been discussed last month.
- The market share of GM, Ford and Chrysler declined again between 2000 and 2005, from 70% to 60% of US registrations, then to 52% in 2007 and finally 44% in 2009. Since that date, this market share stagnates between 44% and 47%, and is at 44.4% in 2017. In the light of announcements from US manufacturers regarding their gradual withdrawal from the sedan segment, it is highly likely that their market share will fall to 40% over the next four or five years, and this, despite the desire of President Trump to revive the activity of American manufacturers.
Contact us: info@inovev.com
Read more... GM, Ford, Chrysler market share remains at its lowest in US market
What strategy for the Fiat-Chrysler Group?
- Details
What strategy for the Fiat-Chrysler Group?
- The discontinuation of the Fiat Punto, and the concentration of Fiat production on the 500 and the Panda, adds to other decisions of the FCA group which resulted in the discontinuation of the Chrysler 200, Dodge Dart and Dodge Viper. The production of the Dodge Caravan, which stopped in August 2017 to shift volumes to the Chrysler Pacifica, resumed abruptly in December 2017 to meet customer demand. The discontinuation of the LanciaYpsilon, and of the Lancia brand overall has been confirmed. The sales ambitions of Alfa-Romeo and Maserati have been dashed. The shutdown of Fiat's production in China and India, two of the largest potential markets, completes the picture.
- In 2017, the FCA Group moved from seventh to eighth worldwide, behind Honda. The group's various attempts to associate with other OEMs have all failed. As a result of these failed attempts, the FCA Group can not develop the most modern technologies, such as modular platforms, hybrid and electric engines or the hyper-connected and autonomous car alone, while at the same time the FCA group has decided to stop the production of diesel cars by 2022. Only LCV will continue to be equipped with this type of engine.
- The situation of the FCA group seems very fragile today, especially since its strategy shows little initiative or offensive. Perhaps the new leadership that will take office in 2019 will adopt a different strategy.
Contact us: info@inovev.com
Inovev platforms >