- While the US car market reached 15.6 million sales last year (levels close to those of 2007) and that US production has exceeded 11 million units (levels close to those of 2006), exports have also been growing constantly since the 2008-2009 crisis. 

- For the first time in over 10 years theUSA exported more than 2 million vehicles in 2013 (PC+LCV). Starting at 1.06 million units in 2009 to over 2 million units in 2013. US exports have hence doubled in four years. These levels are still under those of Mexico (2.4 million vehicles exported in 2013).

- Back in 2004, Mexico and Canada accounted for 80% of US exports, by 2013  this figure dropped to 50%.  Exports towards Germany and mainly Saudi Arabia and China are increasing rapidly. 

- Over half of the 2 million vehicles exported from the US in 2013 originated from the Big Three (GM, Ford, Fiat Chrysler). Followed by Japanese carmakers (500 000 units), European carmakers (300 000 units) and Korean carmakers (100 000 units).

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- The 2014 edition of the Beijing auto show was a great opportunity to review the models announced for the Chinese market in 2014, 2015 and even 2016 for some brands. Beyond concept cars, it is interesting to analyze which manufacturers are present, which segments and bodies have Chinese and non-Chinese carmakers  chosen to position themselves on, and especially by what date will these models be launched.

- The first observation is that among the sixty "major and realistic" models announced at the show, 70% are from Chinese manufacturers although they currently account for "only" 30% of the local market. Ten non-Chinese brands are present while the number of Chinese brands is almost 3 times higher.

- The second observation is that the most represented segments are segments C and D (21 models each) followed by segment B (11 models) in a current market dominated by C and D segments.

- The Chinese market has had a sharp increase in SUV sales (19% market share in 2013). This trend has been confirmed by the models that will be launched in coming years, since a third of the cars presented are SUVs. It should be noted that non-Chinese manufacturers have planned to launch only SUVs and sedans, and will be launching no MPVs, Crossovers or Pick-ups.

- Finally, a third of the vehicles presented will be launched on the Chinese market in the second half of 2014, while nearly 15 models will be introduced to the market in 2015 and 2016.

- 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.