Mazda unveils the new Mazda 2 (segment B)

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Mazda unveils the new Mazda 2 (segment B)

- After the 2012 launch of the new generation of the Mazda 6 and the the launch in 2013 of the Mazda 3 (segment C), the Japanese manufacturer based in Hiroshima will launch in 2014 the new generation of the Mazda 2 (segment B ).


- The new Mazda 2 will have two engines, both designed by Mazda, one 1.5 petrol and one 1.5 diesel. No electric, or hybrid engines have been announced yet. It will use the modular platform of the Mazda 3 and Mazda 6, which according to the manufacturer means it will be a hundred kilos lighter. This platform will also provide a basis for a future segment B SUV, the CX3.


- This model has been on the decline for a few years now as its global sales reached 130 000 units in 2012, 160 000 in 2011, and even 180 000 in 2010. The objectives of Mazda's new B-segment model is 200 000 units per year. Which will rank it among competing Japanese brands, behind the Honda Jazz (390 000 sales), Toyota Yaris (340 000 sales), but before the Nissan Micra (156 000 sales).


- The new Mazda 2 will be manufactured in the Hofu plant in Japan and exported  worldwide. The Hofu plant currently produces the Mazda 3 (273 000 units) and Mazda 6 (149 000 units) by adding the future production of the Mazda 2 (100 000 units) by 2014 the plant will produce over 522 000 units.


- Mazda experienced a 24% growth in Europe in the first half of 2014. In 2013, the manufacturer's sales had already increased by 18%. Recent innovations have boosted its sales and the new Mazda 2 should amplify the phenomenon. In 2013, Mazda sold 106 000 Mazda 2 in the world, of which 44 000 in Japan and 21 000 in Europe, its two main markets.

 

14-23-6  


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The Japanese market has recovered well in the first half of 2014

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The Japanese market has recovered well in the first half of 2014

- The Japanese market has recovered well in the first half of 2014 (+10.8%), after a year 2013 where sales remained stable at 5.37 million vehicles (PC + LCV), compared to 2012.


- The 2012 and 2013 figures are much higher than those of 2011, the year of the tsunami (4 210 000 units). Sale figures are however still far off those recorded between 1988 and 1997. Figures that were largely over 6 million annual units, while in 2014 it is unlikely that the market will exceed 5.8 million units.


- In April 2014, the Japanese government implemented new tax deductions on vehicles that were compliant with the 2015 consumption standards which boosted the sales of these environmentally friendly vehicles.


- By manufacturer, Honda increased the most in the first half of 2014 compared to the first half of 2013, with a 30% increase in sales, followed by Isuzu (+22%), ahead of Suzuki (+12%) that was slightly in front of Nissan (+11 %). Only Subaru declined year over year with a decrease of 8%. In the first 6 months of 2014  Imports of foreign cars grew by 8%, but they still represent  under 5% of the market, which is a very low rate compared to  that of Europe where imports represented 15% of the market in the first 6 months of 2014 or the United States that imports 25% of its vehicles. Finally, midgets (Kei cars) represent 41% of total market in 2014 against 39% in 2013.

 

14-23-4  


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The U.S. market kept its momentum in the first half of 2014

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The U.S. market kept its momentum in the first half of 2014

- The U.S. market kept its momentum in the first half of 2014, after rising by 7.6% in 2013, by 13.4% in 2012 by 10.3% in 2011 and by 11.1% in 2010. Let us recall that the market declined by 18.0% in 2008 and by 21.2% in 2009. As a result, in 2013 the market had almost caught up with its loss. Only a gap of -3.5% remained compared to the market in 2007.


- This gap is being absorbed in 2014, since the U.S. market was up 4.3% in the first half of this year, compared to the first half of last year. It is likely to reach a volume of 16.3 million vehicles registered throughout the year, against 16.2 million in 2007.


- Although the revival of the U.S. economy has affected sales, market growth is also a consequence of the many discounts granted by dealers.


- In the first half of 2014, the manufacturers that increase the most were Renault-Nissan (+13%), Fiat-Chrysler (+12%) and Tata Motors (+12%). But compared to 2007, the manufacturers that increased the most are Subaru (+154%), Hyundai-Kia (+71%), Volkswagen (+61%), Daimler (+33%) and Renault-Nissan (+32%). In contrast, the  manufacturers that experienced the strongest decline are Suzuki (-100%), Volvo (-45%), Mitsubishi (-39%) and GM (-23%).

 

14-23-2  


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Comparison between Volkswagen and Fiat-Chrysler groups

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Comparison between Volkswagen and Fiat-Chrysler groups

- Some rumours expect a future purchase of the Fiat-Chrysler group (7th worldwide manufacturer) by the Volkswagen group (3rd worldwide manufacturer) . It is interesting to see in what way the two groups are complementary or not.

- The Volkswagen Group is well established in Europe (25% market share) and China (20% of the market), where its is the leader, while the FCA group is very low in both these markets (except in Italy, where it covers 30% of the market). The FCA group is very well established in North America (12.5% market share) where the VW group is low. In terms of overall sales this merger would mean that the VW-FCA Group would have 16% of the world market with 14 million vehicles and would thus become the world leader.

- By region, this merger would mean that VW-FCA is the leader in Brazil with 66% market share, the leader in Europe with a 31% market share, the leader in China with 17% market share. It would also have 13% market share in the US (3rd position).

- This merger positions the group on all segments as FCA is mostly present on segments A and B and Volkswagen is present on segments B, C, D, E and F (world leader in segments C and D).

- In terms of breakdown by make, the Volkswagen Group has mainstream  (VW, Seat, Skoda) and premium makes (Audi, Porsche, Bentley, Lamborghini). The FCA group has mainstream (Fiat, Dodge), semi-premium (Chrysler, Jeep) and premium makes (Alfa, Lancia, Maserati, Ferrari). Overall, there is a real complementarity between these two groups.
 

14-23-5  


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The Chinese market remains strong in the the first half of 2014

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The Chinese market remains strong in the the first half of 2014

- The Chinese market (PC + LCV) remains strong in the first half of 2014, since it increased by 8.4% over this period, reaching 11.68 million vehicles, against 10.78 million recorded in the first half of 2013.

- Since 2011, the growth pattern seems to be accelerating, since it was only 2.7% in 2011 compared to 2010, 4.2% in 2012 compared to 2011, 6.1% in 2013 compared to 2012 and will probably be of 7.5% throughout 2014 compared to 2013. The year should end with a level close to 22 million vehicles sold in China, which represent more than a quarter of world wide sales.

- There now are no signs of slowing down or of a future slowdown (until 2020) of the Chinese automobile market . Car ownership is still very low, especially in western provinces of the country, that registered more important growth than eastern provinces.

- By manufacturer, Ford increased the most over the  six aggregate months of 2014 (+39%), followed by PSA (+27.5%), Volkswagen (+18%), Honda (+17%), Changan (+ 16%) and GM (+12.5%). Declining carmakers are all independent ones: Geely (-27.5%), Brilliance (-26.5%), FAW (-26%), JAC (-21.5%), BYD (-20.5% ), Lifan (-12.5%), Chery (-11%), Great Wall (-6%) and MG-Roewe (-3%). The objectives set by the Chinese government are very far from being reached.
 

14-23-3  


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