German manufacturers are strengthening their positions in China
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- China is the largest trading partner of Germany in Asia, and Germany, the largest trading partner of China in Europe. In the automobile industry, Germany signed partnership agreements very early on (in the 80s) with Chinese manufacturers. Today, German carmakers (Volkswagen, BMW and Daimler) occupy 20.8% of the world's largest market, ahead of American carmakers (19.8%), Japanese (16.6%) and Korean (8.8%).
- Chinese manufacturers hold 30% of the Chinese market, and this share has been stable for several years. In this context, Volkswagen, BMW and Daimler are to retain their strong position in this market, which on average increases by 10% each year.
- Daimler recently bought 12% stake in BAIC and the two partners are going to increase the production capacity of their Beijing plants.
- Volkswagen and its partner SAIC are going to extend their cooperation to fuel cells and hybrid vehicles. Volkswagen is going to build a new plant with FAW another of its partners in order to increase their production capacities. Volkswagen has set a goal to acquire the necessary installations in order to produce more than 4 million vehicles a year in China by 2018. The group has produced and sold more than 3 million vehicles in the country in 2013.
- In addition, an agreement has been signed in order strengthen the links between BMW and its partner Brilliance.
Read more... German manufacturers are strengthening their positions in China
Japan exported 540 000 vehicles to other Asian countries in 2013
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Read more... Japan exported 540 000 vehicles to other Asian countries in 2013
In 2013 the Vietnamese market is growing again
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- Vietnam has one of the lowest rates of car ownership in the ASEAN region. With a significant economic boom in the early 2000s, the country experienced a strong growth in the automotive market, especially between 2006 and 2009. During this period, the Vietnamese car market tripled from 40 000 units to 120 000 units.
- The Vietnamese market began to decline in 2009, from 120 000 to 80 000 units in 2012. This decline in car sales was the result of a sanitation policy introduced by the Vietnamese state that began in 2011-2012.
- In 2013, the automobile market made up for half of its delay, from 80 000 to 100 000 units. Thanks to a balanced economic climate. The 2013 top five manufactures are the same as in 2012, Toyota remains the market leader with 36% market share. (Best selling models: Fortuner, Innova, Camry, Corolla, Vios), far ahead of Hyundai-Kia (18% of market), Ford (9%), GM (5%) and Honda (5%).
- In the first quarter of 2014, the Vietnamese market has confirmed this positive trend with an increase in vehicle sales (PC + LCV) of 36% to 41 300 units (26 800 PC and 14 500 LCV) compared to the same period last year. Of total sales, 74% of vehicles sold in Vietnam were assembled locally (CKD) while 26% was imported (CBU).
- These figures bode well for a market that could reach 125 000 units throughout 2014. In the first quarter of 2014, regarding manufacturers, Toyota remains the leader with more than 3 000 units sold (+8% ) while Ford (939 units) increased by 37%.
GM will stop selling Opel cars in China from 2015
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Read more... GM will stop selling Opel cars in China from 2015
In 2013 the South African market has regained its 2006-2007 levels
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- The South African market (sales of PC on South African soil) set its best record in 2006, with over 470 000 units sold (against 400 000 in 2005 and 300 000 in 2004).
- Severely affected by the financial crisis of 2008-2009 (the market lost 45% of its volume between 2006 and 2009), as of 2010 the South African market bounced back very well to finally exceed 350 000 units in 2012 and 450 000 units in 2013. Therefor, this market was the largest on the African continent, since Algeria with who the country was competing for the first place in 2012, has seen its market decline in 2013 and thereby didn't reach South African figures.
- By carmakers, the VW group (largest producer in South Africa) remains the market leader in 2013 with 23% market penetration, ahead of Toyota (15%) and Hyundai-Kia (15%) whose launch on this market is quite recent. These three companies occupy together 53% of the South African market in 2013.
- American groups GM and Ford, once market leaders, have lost much of their influence, with respectively 8% and 6% market share in 2013 (against 9% and 7% in 2012). The seven best-selling models in 2013 were the VW Polo (segment B - 61 993 units), Toyota Etios (segment B - 24 367), Ford Figo (segment B - 15 254) Hyundai i20 (segment B - 14 420 ) which are ahead of the Mercedes C Class (segment D - 12 565), Toyota Corolla (segment C - 12 414) and BMW 3 Series (segment D - 12 116), all assembled locally.
Read more... In 2013 the South African market has regained its 2006-2007 levels