Category Blog

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Registrations

The European LCV market increased by 10.2% in the first half of 2014

- The European LCV market 29 countries recorded an increase of 10.2% of sales in the first half of 2014, compared to the first half of 2013, to 791 000 units (against 718 000 last year).

- This significant increase (PC market growth in Europe did not exceed 6.4% over the same period) offset somewhat the decline in the European LCV market between 2007 and 2013 (-38% in six years). At the end of the year, the market volume should reach 1.58 million units, still below the level of 2011 which was already very low.

- We are far from the booming years between 2000-2008 which often exceeded two million annual sales of LCVs in Europe, 2007 even recorded a peak of 2.3 million units, a level which will be difficult to reach again in the future.

- As for PC in the first half of 2014, Eastern Europe was more dynamic with an LCV sales increase of 14.1% while Western Europe increased by 9.9%.

- If we sum up PCs and LCVs we can observe that the growth in the 29 European countries is on average of 6.8% (reaching 7 638 295 units) which bodes well for a volume close to 14 million units throughout the year. Let us recall that Inovev estimated the the Chinese market at 22 million units, the U.S. market at 16.3 million units and the Japanese market at 5.8 million units over the same period.

Contact us: info@inovev.com

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

The Iranian market is making a come back in 2014

- The Iranian market (PC + LCV) is on the path to recovery. Over the first five months of 2014 it has indeed increased by 7.2% compared to the first five months of 2013, let us recall that the market collapsed over the past two years, from 1 650 000 vehicles in 2011 (record sales) to 1 385 000 in 2012 and 715 000 in 2013. This fall was mainly due to the tightening up of the embargo on importing auto components.

- Over the whole of 2014, the Iranian market could range between 750 000 and 800 000 units, which shows an improvement, but also the long way to go in order to reach 2011-2012 levels.

- After the loosening of the sanctions burdening the automobile industry, French manufacturers (leading exporters in Iran until 2012-2013) and in their wake some equipment suppliers are once more looking towards the Iranian market. However, only local manufacturers and locally produced vehicles have benefited from this growth.

- In this context Iran-Khodro and Peugeot were able to increase the volume of their joint manufacturing from CKD and from local components. Peugeot was able to sell 124 000 units of 206 and 405 models in the first five months of 2014 (against 78 000 in the first five months of 2013), monopolizing 35% of the local market (against 23% in 2013). For its part, SAIPA ( Kia vehicles) has sold 129 000 models over the same period (against 83 000 in 2013), monopolizing 36% of the local market (against 24% last year). Chinese carmakers are also making progress: they now account for 10% of the Iranian market (against 8% in 2013 and 2% in 2012). Lifan is the 4th brand in the country and Chery is in 5th position, ahead of Renault.

Contact us: info@inovev.com

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

The Algerian market declined sharply in the first half of 2014

- The Algerian market (PC + LCV) has declined sharply in the first half of 2014, down around 25% compared to the same period in 2013, this bodes well for a volume of about 300 000 units throughout the year, against 400 000 in 2013 and 437 000 in 2012, the market decline actually began in 2013 with the second half of year well bellow that of the first half.

- Factors specific to the Algerian market which are not related to economic growth explain this fall. Thus, the end of the salary recall of civil servants (salaries weren't paid for several years and when they eventually were they were backdated) and the change in priority of household spendings towards other things, such as housing have impacted the market. After exponential growth between 2010 and 2013, the 2014 market volume is therefore more in line with its potential.

- Algeria having had to import all of its vehicles until the end of 2014, the level of imports was consequently also down. A decrease accentuated by the high level of current stocks. To regulate the importation of new vehicles, the Government introduced several measures including limiting the importation of vehicles by car dealers, banning the latter from importing vehicles on the behalf of other dealers or individuals outside of their distribution networks and the obligation to set up an industrial or service activity within three years.

- It is in this specific context that the Renault plant in Oran should begin operation in November 2014.

Contact us: info@inovev.com

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

The South African market declined by 5.4% in the first half of 2014

- The South African market VP +LCV declined by 5.4% in the first half of 2014 compared to the first half of 2013, to 308 540 units (against 326 283 last year ). The PC market reached 208 796 units against 224 082 the previous year (a decrease of 6.8%).

- This decline in registrations is mainly due to a slowdown in the South African economy, alongside increased inflation and interest rates. In addition, strong social movements cost the country financially and disrupted the South African economy.

- Over 12 months, the South African market could therefore fall around 375 000 passenger cars plus 200 000 light commercial vehicles. South Africa would remain, despite this decline, the first African market, well ahead of Algeria which should end the year at around 300 000 vehicles (PC + LCV).

- By manufacturer, the VW group (first automobile manufacturer in South Africa), remained the market leader in 2014 with 24% market share, ahead of Toyota (11%) and Hyundai-Kia (9%). The best-selling car in 2014 is by far the VW Polo (segment B) which holds nearly 15% of the South African market. This model is assembled locally in a VW factory. It is also the most produced model of the country, and obviously the most produced VW model.

Contact us: info@inovev.com

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Volkswagen will produce an SUV in its U.S. plant of Chattanooga

- The Volkswagen Group has decided to build a new segment D SUV in its U.S. Chattanooga plant (Tennessee). This new model will be different from the Tiguan (segment C) and Touareg (segment E) that are manufactured in Europe.

- The new vehicle’s final name it not yet known but it should be announced at the end of 2016 and will be marketed at the beginning of 2017. It will be based on the CrossBlue concept unveiled last year at the Detroit Auto Show and will be equipped with seven seats.

- According to its manufacturer, this future vehicle will have amenities and dimensions close to those of best selling American SUVs and will be more in line with the current expectations of U.S. customers.

- The SUV will be based on the platform of the American Passat and allow the plant Chattanooga to get closer to the production objectives set by Volkswagen’s management, the Passat that is currently produced does not respond fully to the expectations of the manufacturer. Indeed, it was purchased by 140 000 customers in 2013 (against 175 000 in 2012), with the arrival of the new SUV the plant's capacity will increase from 170 000 units per year to 250 000 units per year.

- Volkswagen group's goal is to sell 800 000 vehicles (all models) in the United States in 2018, while sales barely surpassed 400 000 units in 2013.