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

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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. 

 

14-23-10  


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The future Fiat Scudo will be based on the Renault Trafic

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The future Fiat Scudo will be based on the Renault Trafic

- As of 2016, Renault will produce the future Fiat Scudo in the Sandouville plant. The future light commercial vehicle is a derivative of the Renault Trafic that was launched this year. Other LCVs also share the body of the Traffic: Vivaro (produced Luton) and the Nissan NV300 (produced Sandouville).

- The current Fiat Scudo, based on the Peugeot Expert / Citroën Jumpy is produced in JV with PSA in the Sevelnord plant (France). The agreement ended in 2012, but PSA (that took over the 50% stake Fiat had in Sevelnord) is continuing the production of LCVs for both groups until 2016. At which time, the production capacity dedicated the Scudo in Sevelnord shall be used for the future Toyota ProAce. However, it is possible that the production volumes of the Toyota ProAce may be lower than those of the Scudo.

- In recent years, Fiat Scudo sales were on average of 20 000 units per year, but reached a peak of 40 000 units in 2007. At the Renault plant, the future Fiat Scudo could be produced at 30 000 units per year and allow the Sandouville plant to grow from 110 000 units this year to 140 000 in 2018. The plant could thus be closer to the targets set by the management of Renault.

- Renault already produces LCVs in cooperation with Opel (Vivaro Movano-), Nissan (NV300-NV400) and Mercedes (Citan).
 

14-23-9  


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In 2013, China’s Natural Gas Vehicle production exceeded 100 000 units

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In 2013, China’s Natural Gas Vehicle production exceeded 100 000 units

- In China, the natural gas vehicle (NGV) market for passenger cars is only made up of flexible-fuel vehicles (two separate fuelling systems that enable them to run both on natural gas and gasoline). Commercial vehicles market could be 100% natural gas or flexible fuel. 
The production of passenger NGVs rose by 18.4% between 2012 and 2013 reaching 103 871 units (to be compared to 20 420 units of Hybrid and Electric vehicles). It is the first time that NGVs have exceeded 100 000 units.


- It appears that the main factor behind this production increase is rising demand for clean-fuel vehicles due to worsening air pollution in major cities.


- By region of origin, European carmakers are still the market leaders with 41 000 sales although their market share decreased by 13% (between 2012 and 2013). Followed by Korean with some 30 000 units reaching 30% market share (+51%). The strongest increase was recorded for Chinese carmakers with +82% reaching 28 000 units. Last but not least, Japanese market share dropped by 10% reaching 4 000 units produced.


- By model, the leader is the Hyundai Elantra with 15 000 units followed by the VW Jetta that decreased by 35% to 12 000 units, slightly ahead of the Citroen Elysée also down by almost 35% reaching 11 000 units.


- In the past, NGVs where intended exclusively for public transportation, but some local governments are planning to explore the private market as well.  For instance, starting from 2014, Beijing city intends to launch NGVs for private use. Moreover, between 2013 and 2017 it hopes to sell 30 000 units per year and has also planned to open 70 natural gas station across the city.

 

14-23-8  


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Opel is going to stop marketing the Ampera

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Opel is going to stop marketing the Ampera

- After the removal of the 100% electric Renault Fluence ZE , Opel announced in turn that it will stop marketing its 100% electric Ampera (mainly sold in Europe) model. This removal will take effect when Chevrolet will launch the second generation Volt, the twin of the Ampera in North America. This launch that is scheduled for the second half of 2015.

- The Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera extended-range vehicles from the GM group, were sold at 34 568 units in 2013, the Leaf was sold 46 555 vehicles and the Fluence which fell by 57% between 2012 and 2013 is in last position with 920 units.

- The Ampera suffered a decline in its global sales of 40% in 2013 compared to 2012, to 3 184 units. And in the first six months of 2014, sales fell again by 65% to 410 units. Meanwhile the Volt was sold at more than 32 000 units in 2013, and declined by 13% over the first six months of 2014. Three factors explain this difference: 1 - Chevrolet is the second manufacturer U.S. 2- market share for electric and hybrid vehicles is higher in the U.S. (3.5% market share against 1.7% in Europe). 3 - The Volt is worth 26 000€ in the U.S. while the Ampera worth 38 000€ in Europe. However, the vehicle could have been be a good alternative to electric cars lacking in range extenders, especially in Europe,  its largest market. Nevertheless, it is possible that the price of the Ampera had a negative effect on sales of the model, significantly more expensive than its competitors (Fluence 26 000€, Leaf 25 000€ ).

- Following the decision to remove the Chevrolet make from the European market in 2016, the Volt will be removed in Europe at the same time as the Ampera. However, Opel plans to launch a smaller and less expensive electric model.
 

14-23-7  


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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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  1. The Japanese market has recovered well in the first half of 2014
  2. Comparison between Volkswagen and Fiat-Chrysler groups
  3. The U.S. market kept its momentum in the first half of 2014
  4. The Chinese market remains strong in the the first half of 2014
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