BMW unveils its new compact MPV
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- While production of MPVs in Europe has declined for several years (-35 % between 2005 and 2013 ) in favor of the SUVs, BMW has unveiled its first MPV.
- This new model, called Series 2 Active Tourer is a C -segment vehicle, positioned as Premium. Therefore it competes directly with the B-Class Mercedes (whose first generation has been launched in 2005 and the second in 2011).
- Within the BMW range, the Series 2 Active Tourer belongs to the Series 2 family, based on the platform of Series 1 (segment C). First front-wheel drive of the brand, the MPV will be powered, in its gasoline version by a 3-cylinder engine (which has been launched on the Mini) and a 4-cylinder, while in its diesel version, only one 4-cylinder engine is announced for the moment.
- The Series 2 Active Tourer is launched as a 5-seater, but will be supported by a 7-seater version with a lengthened body, like a Renault Scenic.
- The model will be produced in the BMW Leipzig plant alongside the coupe and convertible Series 2, and next year could be accompanied by a future sedan series 2 (Gran Coupe) .
- Inovev forecasts a production of around 80,000 units in 2018, for a vehicle designed primarily for Europe.
Asia (including China) and North America are not growing markets for MPV segment C.
Peugeot unveils its new A segment car, the model 108
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Read more... Peugeot unveils its new A segment car, the model 108
Renault unveils the third generation Twingo
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- Renault has unveiled its third generation Twingo a small car (segment A). It succeeds the latest generation released in 2007 that also succeeded to the generation of 1993.
- The first generation Twingo was produced at 2.4 million copies over 14 years (1993-2007) and the second generation was sold at 900 000 copies in 7 years (2007-2014).
- The engine located at the rear rather than at the front. This was technically imposed by the common platform Renault-Daimler planned for the new Twingo and the new five-door Smart (which will be launched this year). The two models will be produced jointly in the Renault plant of Novo Mesto in Slovenia, which has been producing the Twingo since 2007.
- The new Twingo is only available in a five-door version and no longer in a three door version, this choice may have been taken so that the Twingo doesn’t compete with the Smart Fortwo.
- According to the manufacturer, the Twingo is expected to enter the Premium market in segment A, the same as the Fiat 500 or Opel Adam.Inovev expects the new Twingo to be produced at around 150 000 units per year on the site of Novo Mesto, that has a production capacity of 200 000 vehicles per year.
The Fiat-Chrysler Group sold 4.35 million PCs + LCVs
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Read more... The Fiat-Chrysler Group sold 4.35 million PCs + LCVs
The Ford Group sold 6.25 million PCs + LCVs in 2013
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- The Ford Group sold 6.25 million vehicles worldwide in 2013 (representing an increase of 10.2% compared to 2012) and going over the 6 million threshold the group hadn't reached since 2009. In fact, since it has parted from its Jaguar (2008), Land Rover (2008) and Volvo brands (2009), and it is gradually separating from Mazda, the Ford group has lost a large amount of its sales volume. The removal of the Mercury brand (2010) confirms this trend.
- After being the second and the third largest world manufacturer, the Ford group is since 2013 at the sixth place in the global carmaker ranking. It is now behind Toyota, General Motors, Volkswagen, Renault-Nissan and Hyundai-Kia in 2013.
- Having focused on both Ford and Lincoln brands, the U.S. group benefited from the 2013 recovery of the U.S. market (+11% to 2.5 million sales), and the strong growth it registered in China, with Chinese sales rising by 62% to 700 000 units. In Europe, Ford fell by 4% to 1 million units sold. The manufacturer is also very present in South America, Russia, India, Australia and South East Asia.
- The Ford group also benefits from two models (throughout the carmakers of the group) that are the most sold in the world: the Focus (sold 1.07 million units in 2013) and the F-Series pickup (935 000 units sold in 2013). The Focus is mainly sold in North America, Europe, China and Russia. The Ford F-Series is sold mainly in North America.
Read more... The Ford Group sold 6.25 million PCs + LCVs in 2013