Nissan is going to produce the new Pathfinder in Russia

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Nissan is going to produce the new Pathfinder in Russia
 

- While the Nissan Pathfinder produced in Barcelona (Spain) will definitely not be replaced in Europe, the Japanese manufacturer has decided to start the production of the new generation in Russia, the production should start early 2015 at the plant in St. Petersburg, and the Pathfinder will only be marketed for the local market.


- The Pathfinder was sold at nearly 6 000 units in Russia in 2014, the Renault-Nissan group considers that this volume justifies local assembly (CKD), while its sales potential in Europe now seems limited (less than 2 000 sales in 2014).


- The new generation Nissan Pathfinder is already manufactured in the United States (in Smyrna) and marketed in North America, as well as a few exports to South America, to Europe and to Russia. Its US annual production is on average of 100 000 units per year, the United States remains an large market for large SUVs.


- In Russia like in the United States, Nissan will market the Pathfinder with a 3.5 litter petrol engine or a hybrid (gasoline-electric) powertrain, the hybrid version of the Pathfinder being the first mass market hybrid vehicle ever produced in Russia.


- Nissan is thus expanding its range of models produced in Russia. The new Pathfinder will add on to the models already manufactured: Teana (St Petersburg), X-Trail (St Petersburg), Almera (Togliatti), Terrano (Moscow). The Qashqai will also be manufactured in Russia as of the first half of 2015.


14-29-5  


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Evolution of plant utilisation rate in Europe (EU + Turkey) in 2014

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Evolution of plant utilisation rate in Europe (EU + Turkey) in 2014
 

- The utilisation rate of European plants declined last year (from 69% in 2012 to 68% in 2013) but is expected to increase in 2014 due to two key factors: the recovery of the European car market (+5.7 % over 8 months) and strong exports. The closure of the PSA plant at Aulnay in late 2013 also impacted the improved utilisation rate in Europe in 2014.


- The utilisation rate of European plants in 2014 should be between 70% and 72% depending on the growth rate of the European market that is currently slowing down (up 8% in the first quarter of 2014, up 4% in the second, up 3 % expected in the third) and the effects of falling exports to Russia (after the Ukrainian crisis). English and German factories (major exporters to Russia) could be the most impacted.


- Germany and the UK still remain the two countries whose factories have the highest utilisation rate (88% and 85%) whereas Italy is suffering, since it depends on the Fiat group, whose sales are at a low level currently.


- It is expected that during the year 2015 the progress of plant utilisation rates observed in 2014 will be consolidated with the expected growth of the European market (up 3% according to Inovev) and the arrival of new models in plants with overcapacity (Renault Twingo / Smart Forfour in Slovenia, Jeep Renegade / Fiat 500X in Italy), which could be exported outside Europe (Jaguar XE, Land Rover Discovery Sport…).


14-29-3  


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Sales of electric vehicles rose by 79% in Europe in the first half of 2014

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Sales of electric vehicles rose by 79% in Europe in the first half of 2014

- Sales of electric vehicles rose by 79% in Europe in the first half of 2014. From 14 982 units in the first half of 2013 to 26 819 units in the first half of 2014.

- However, this strong growth conceals two facts: firstly, all countries do not benefit from such strong growth (sales in France actually decreased by 8.8%), on the other hand, the overall market share of electric vehicles is very low, not exceeding 0.42% in the first half of 2014 (against 0.25% in the first half of 2013), i.e. 4 sales out of 1 000. This is far from the 10% target set for 2020 announced by some manufacturers a few years back.

- The only European country where electric vehicle sales reached or exceed 10% of the market in 2014 is Norway with an excellent 12.9%. The following four countries : France, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Denmark EV sales account for only 0.5% to 0.6% of total sales. All other countries do not even reach 0.5% (Germany reaching 0.3%).

- It should be noted that four countries account for 78.5% of sales of electric vehicles in Europe: Norway (9 349 units), Germany (4 796 units), France (4 360 units) and the UK (2 558 units). And four models account for 77% of sales of electric vehicles in Europe: the Nissan Leaf (6 880 units), the Tesla Model S (5 347 units), the BMW i3 (4 853 units) and the Renault Zoe (3 594 units), which is still very far from its objectives.

14-28-10  


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Sales growth by make in Europe between 2008 and 2013

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Sales growth by make in Europe between 2008 and 2013
 
- Between 2008 and 2013, the European market was down 22%, but some makes have managed to stabilise and even increase their sales in the past five years, while other makes have collapsed altogether.

- Among the makes on the rise, Dacia had the strongest growth with a 50% increase in sales in Europe between 2008 and 2013, thanks to the pursuit of its low price strategy, the arrival of the Duster SUVs  and the renewal of their high-volume products (the Logan and Sandero). Premium brands such as Land Rover (+40%) and Porsche (+15%) took advantage of their range expansion (Range Rover Evoque, Porsche Cayenne).

- The Korean manufactures, Hyundai (+31%) and Kia (+33%) have taken market share from mainstream and Japanese manufacturers. Finally, Nissan (+15%) benefited from the success of its Qashqai and Juke SUVs. German Premium carmakers, Audi, BMW and Mercedes, as well as Volvo and Volkswagen have reduced their decrease by expanding their range.

- Other makes have all  declined (-20% and -50% decrease). Mainstream European brands as well as most Japanese and American brands have been the most heavily impacted by the fall in the European market and the change of its structure (growth of SUVs, decrease in minivans and sedans…).

14-29-2  


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Renault unveils the new Espace

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Renault unveils the new Espace

- Renault has unveiled the fifth generation of its large MPV (segment D) marketed  for over thirty years under the name : Espace. The new Espace designed to be a crossover and blends together two body types; a minivan and an SUV. It is 4.80 m long and is based on the CMF platform (currently used on the Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail), it is currently available in only one wheelbase.


- The share of MPVs from segment D has been falling for several years, reaching only 1% of the European market in 2014. Customers have gradually turned towards MPVs of segment C (7% market share in 2014) and SUVs from segment D (3% market share in 2014).


- PSA has just given up its Peugeot 807 and Citroen will not be replacing the C8. Fiat and Opel have already discontinued theirs for several years now. Japanese and Korean brands no longer import their large MPVs.


- As for the Chrysler Voyager, now sold under the Lancia brand, it has practically disappeared from the European market. The only MPVs that remain are the Volkswagen Sharan, Seat Alhambra, Ford Galaxy / S-Max and the Renault Espace whose sales figures have become very low(8 000 units sold in 2013).


- Renault has not released its sales targets, but Inovev forecasts 35 000 units will be produced each year in the Douai plant for the European market (excluding UK).


14-29-1  


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