Asia's Small SUV Market: European, US Carmakers Are Taking the Lead
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Asia's Small SUV Market: European, US Carmakers Are Taking the Lead
- In Asia's two major emerging markets, namely ASEAN and India, the B segment-class small sedan and hatchback market have been dropping; however, SUVs have been increasing. Regarding SUVs, in ASEAN 5 (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam), sales volume of 2014 was on par with that of the previous year at 330,000 units, of which small SUVs rose 15.7 percent to 76,000 units. Meanwhile, in India, the SUV market went up 3.2 percent to 358,000 units, of which small SUVs increased 14.3 percent to 121,000 units, posting remarkable growth.
- The expansion of the small SUV market in ASEAN and India is attributed to improved purchasing power thanks to economic growth and advancing urbanization. Up to now, strong demand for frame-type medium and large SUVs has been driven by bad road conditions in regional areas of ASEAN and India, while small SUV demand has been rising in urban areas.
- Under these circumstances, European and US manufacturers, namely Ford and Renault, have increased sales in the small SUV market. Since 2013, sales of the Ford EcoSport increased by 70,000 units annually and that of the Renault Duster by 40,000 units annually in ASEAN and India. Of India's small SUV market, the Ford EcoSport accounts for over 40 percent, while the Renault Duster controls over 30 percent. In ASEAN, the Ford EcoSport controls 15 percent of the small SUV market. As for other brands in India, Fiat launched the Punto-based Avventura in October 2014 and VW released the Polo-based Cross Polo in January 2015. Moreover, Hyundai launched the i20-based i20 Active in March 2015. The Korean carmaker also plans to release the ix25 within the year, positioned below the ix35 (Tucson), in India as well as ASEAN.
- Japanese carmakers' small SUV strategy varies from maker to maker. Toyota launched the Etios-based Etios Cross in May 2014, while Honda released the Jazz-based HR-V in November of the same year. Mazda plans to launch the Skyactiv engine-powered CX-3 in ASEAN which was released in Japan in February 2015. In the coming years, recovery of Japanese carmakers through new-vehicle offensive in the small SUV market will surely attract attention.
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Indian 2014 Automobile Export Up 5,9% to 710 000 units
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Indian 2014 Automobile Export Up 5,9% to 710 000 units
- India's vehicle export volume in 2014 increased 5.9 percent year-on-year to 707,431 units. Despite a 1.5 percent drop in production volume due to dull Indian demand, export remained active. As a result, export ratio (ratio of export volume to production volume) went up 1.3pp (percentage points) to 18.4 percent. Looking at data by automobile type, passenger cars, which account for over 77 percent of all exports, dropped 2.6 percent to 547,087 units. Utility vehicles, which are driven by SUVs, rose 2.3 fold and small vans (MPVs) showed a robust rise of 94.2 percent. Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor and Maruti Suzuki are strengthening India as an export base for the markets of Africa, the Middle East, and Central and South America.
- Top automobile exporter Hyundai Motor fell 20.2 percent to 201,909 units. The decline is attributed to production transfer of the i1O and i20 - exported for the European market - from India to Turkey. India is intended to be positioned by Hyundai Motor as an export base for the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
- Nissan Motor went up 7.4 percent to 119,228 units. In addition to rising export of the Micra, the Datsun Go also aided expansion. Export is projected to decline from 2016 after the production transfer to the next-gen Micra to Renault's facility in France. However, exportation of the low-price brand Datsun - export began in June 2014 - may complement the drop.
- Maruti Suzuki increased 7.8 percent to 118,439 units. Although the export volume of passenger cars was nearly on par with that of the previous year, the Ertiga utility vehicle drove up overall export volume.
- Ford Motor went up 96.1 percent to 76,998 units, while VW increased 3.3 fold to 64,120 units. Ford's export was pushed up by the EcoSport which has been exported since 2014. VW's volume was driven by the export start of the Vento to Mexico in November 2013. In addition, the exportation of the partially-remodeled Polo to Mexico - export began in November 2014 - is expected to boost volume in 2015.
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China's 2014 Regional Passenger Vehicle Sales: Demand Remains Robust in Central, West China
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China's 2014 Regional Passenger Vehicle Sales: Demand Remains Robust in Central, West China
- China's new vehicle registration volume increased 13.1 percent to 16.97 million units year-on-year in 2014. Looking at data by region, market share of east China shrank from 55.8 percent in 2010 to 50.2 percent in 2014, while that of central China expanded from 16.9 percent to 21 percent during the same period. Driven by Henan, Hunan and Hubei, central China realized a 97.9 percent increase within five years between 2010 and 2014, while west China, pushed up by Sichuan, Shaanxi and Chongqing, achieved a 73.9 percent rise.
- East and northeast China increased 43.6 percent and 54.5 percent respectively in the past five years, posting weaker growth compared to central and west China. Meanwhile, Guangdong, top administrative unit in terms of sales volume, went up 25.4 percent to 1.58 million units. Although east China, where administrative units with top GDP are concentrated, remains the passenger vehicle market's main battleground. The introduction of registration regulations in some cities among other issues is gradually shifting demand to inland areas which account for over 50 percent of China's total population.
- Looking at market share by region, sales offensive of EU manufacturers since the 2010s has been a success. They surpassed their Japanese rivals in east China and captured top position in central and west China by exceeding Chinese automakers. East China has become the main market for D and E segment models due to the high concentration of wealthy people, while C segment products hold an overwhelming share in central China. In west China, SUVs have the highest share and their composition ratio is still considered significant even if nationwide results are taken into consideration.
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Indonesia Automobile Production in 2014: Up 7.5 Percent to 1.3 Million
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Indonesia Automobile Production in 2014: Up 7.5 Percent to 1.3 Million
- Indonesia's automobile production volume in 2014 increased 7.5 percent year-on-year to 1.29 million units, registering an historic high for the fifth consecutive year. Volume was augmented by the launch of LCGC-compliant models in September 2013 and increased effort by automakers to position Indonesia as the next export base after Thailand. Regarding 2015, while there are some views that local demand will remain on par with that of 2014; however, if export maintains an increasing trend, overall production volume is expected to surpass 1.3 million units.
- Looking at data by automobile type, passenger vehicles went up 9.5 percent to 1.01 million units, while commercial vehicles increased 0.8 percent to 285,000 units. Passenger vehicles, driven by the booming production of LCGC-compliant models and new products from Toyota and Honda, boosted volume, surpassing 1 million units for the first time. In contrast, commercial vehicle volume remained nearly on par with that of the previous year's level due to double-digit decline of trucks with GVW over 5 tons and buses with GVW over 10 tons as a result of the stagnating local economy.
- Looking at data by make, Toyota and Honda both performed well, up 28.6 percent and 95.3 percent respectively. Toyota began production of the Vios at the end of 2013 and the Yaris in March 2014 which drove up volume. Honda's production volume nearly doubled thanks to brisk sales of the Mobilio MPV and the LCGC-compliant Brio Satya. Daihatsu's MPV models declined over 20 percent due to the appearance of the Mobilio on the market; however, rising export production of the Agya, manufactured for Toyota under contrast, aided volume, Daihatsu posting an overall increase of 2.9 percent. Suzuki fell 4.5 percent due to poor performance of the Ertiga.
- As for GM, the Chevrolet Spin came off the line in 2013; however, production was discontinued in June 2015 due to dull sales.
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Inovev expects 110 000 units / year for the X1 in Europe
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Inovev expects 110 000 units / year for the X1 in Europe
- BMW introduced the new generation SUV X1 (segment C). The new X1 will be manufactured in the BMW plant in Leipzig and thus tackles Premium C segment SUVs. With the development of SUVs from segment B, and enhancement of the ranges offered in the Premium C segment (especially with the future Infinity QX30), the future X1 should be more highly competitive than the previous generation. Thus Inovev anticipates production levels for the X1 in Europe reaching 110 000 units / year for a full year. In 2014, it sold 147 000 BMW X1 in the world, against 185 000 and 68 000 Audi Q3 GLA.
- In 2014, European production of segment C SUVs decreased by 2.6% compared to 2013 and should continue to decline in 2015. However in the Premium market, European production of segment C SUVs was up 26,4%, thanks to growth of the Audi Q3 but especially thanks to the arrival on the market of the Mercedes GLA.
- In terms of specs, the X1 will be front wheel drive, since it is now being made on the platform shared with the Mini and the Active Tourer / Gran Tourer. Optionally it will be available in All wheel drive. Let us note that the future Series 1 will also be based on the platform of the Mini, making it front wheel drive (such as the Mercedes Class A) and either a rear wheel drive like the current generation. The new X1 loses 1 cm in length (4.44 m) and gains 5 cm in height (1.59 m) compared to the previous generation.
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