- The Chinese carmaker Geely (GeelyEmgrand, Gleagle, Englon and Volvo) has signed a joint venture agreement with BelazCorproration the manufacturer of construction machinery and construction site management and with the equipment supplier Soyuz Corporation. This agreement covers the construction of a vehicle assembly plant with a capacity of 120 000 vehicles per year.

- The plant, which will be based in Borisov in the Minsk region, will initially produce  four models from the Geely brand: the SUV-GX7, the SC7 sedan , the SC5 and the LC Cross urban.

- The establishment of this plant:

       - Accompanied the development strategy of the group outside of China. Indeed, Geely is 100% Chinese group with the highest growth outside China,

       - Allows Belarus to welcome for the first time an automaker, in a territory previously empty of any automobile industry.

- In the first six months of 2013, the Geely brand has sold nearly 15,000 units in Russia and 7000 in Belarus, becoming the first Chinese brand in both countries.

Data source: File #101 - Worldwide production detailed by models  

- Audi wants to increase its production capacity in the world, especially in Southeast Asia (ASEAN) and Latin America, where the brand is hardly present. Eventually, its production capacity in Germany should only represent 35 to 40% of its global capacity (against more than 50% currently).

- However, it is not a question of relocation but a question of factory implantation in foreign markets whose production will be consumed locally, such as China. Imports from Germany will therefore decrease.

- Throughout 2013, Audi expects to sell 700,000 cars in Europe, 450,000 in China and 150,000 in the United States. Worldwide, the brand's objective is to sell between 1.5 and 1.6 million cars throughout the year. In addition, Audi plans to get  ahead of BMW and Mercedes with the launch of a dozen new models.

- Indeed, in 2007, Audi marketed 20 models against 45 today . By 2020, Audi will offer 60 models.

Data source: File #101 - Worldwide production detailed by models  

Data source: File #55 - Registrations in the World by makes    

- The market for convertible vehicles (soft-tops and roadsters) was flourishing in the United States throughout the 50s and 60s. New safety regulations put in place in the 70s (including car flipping ) created a sudden halt in the convertible market. Mercedes was one of the few manufacturers to maintain a loyal customer base for this type of cars (with the SL Series very popular overseas).

- In the 80s, new convertibles appeared (including new security features). The Chrysler Group was one of the first to reoccupy the market (Chrysler Le Baron). Gradually, other manufacturers followed and sales set off again upwards. In the early 2000s, the market for convertibles in the U.S. crossed over 200,000 units per year again, a level that had not been seen since the 70s.

- The crisis of 2008-2009 caused a further drop in car sales, including convertibles (less than 150 000 units sold in 2009 and 2010). Since then, sales have progressively restarted slowly, 140,000 in 2011, 150,000 in 2012 and possibly 160,000 in 2013 (40,000 units in the second quarter).

- In 2013, the best-selling models in the United States are the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro.

Data source: File #55 - Registrations in the World by makes