Category Blog

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Indonesian production has tripled in 10 years

- Indonesian production has tripled in 10 years, from 300,000 vehicles in 2002 to nearly 1 million vehicles in 2012. Economic growth in this country of 250 million people fosters the development of the market and the recent local automotive industry .

- Indonesia is one of the most dynamic countries in Asia, the 6th largest producer in the region after China, Japan, India, South Korea and Thailand. Indonesia overpassed Malaysia in 2008 and the gap has become wider and wider since.

- Indonesian production targets mainly the local market, whose motorization rate is still very low. In comparison, Thailand, neighboring country, exports most of its production in the world (especially pick-up).

- Manufacturers producing in Indonesia are mainly Japanese (Toyota, Suzuki, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Honda, Isuzu). Toyota group occupied by itself 56% of the country's production in 2012.

Data source: File #104 - Worldwide Production data detailed by make from 2005 to 2012

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Scandinavian markets weather the crisis

- The Scandinavian automotive market has been remarkably resilient to the crisis, even better than Germany. Indeed, the volume of sales (passenger cars) in 2012 registered only a slight decrease (-3.5%) compared to 2007. In addition, the 2012 volume is modestly lower (-5%) than the peak of 2011, which marks the registrations record in this area.

- The four countries that make up this region (Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland) have suffered from the 2008-2009 crisis like other European countries, but the rebound has been remarkable in 2010. Two countries, Denmark and Norway, have even reached record sales in 2012, which is unique in Europe.

- This highlights the financial health of these countries (no debt) and consumer confidence as a result. Equipped with an auto industry that is gradually disintegrated (end of Saab), Volvo is the only survivor of this industry (but now Chinese). The Scandinavian markets source their cars externally, in Western Europe and Asia mainly . The leader group is now Volkswagen, far ahead of Volvo.

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

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Mitsubishi launches the Space Star

- Best known for its 4WD vehicles (Pajero) and SUV (Outlander), Mitsubishi nevertheless also market A and B segment vehicles. The Japanese manufacturer confirms its positioning in lower range segment with the launch of the new Space Star, whose price, size and performance define it as a A segment model.

- The 3.71 m long and 5-door sedan fits between the mini-urban vehicles (segment A) and small bi-usage city-road vehicles (segment B). Light (845 kg), the Space Star is equipped with only one engine, a 3-cylinder gasoline engine.

- Significantly smaller than the Colt (3.71 m against 3.88 m), the Space Star replaces it on all worldwide markets. While Colt was produced in the Netherlands and Japan, the Space Star will be produced in a low-cost country: Thailand. The manufacturer expects to sell between 100,000 and 150,000 vehicles per year.

- It is to be noted that the Colt sales have dropped dramatically in recent years, from 102,000 units produced in 2005 to 83,000 in 2008 and 14,000 in 2012. This fall prompted Mitsubishi to change the model positioning and name (even though it existed since 1962).

Data source: File #104 - Worldwide Production data detailed by make from 2005 to 2012

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

The Turkish market progresses in fits and starts since 2000

- The Turkish market progresses in fits and starts since 2000. After falling sharply between 2001 and 2003, it rebounded in 2004, reaching a peak of 450 000 units (against 360 000 in 2000).

- Then the Turkish market decreased again in 2005 to stabilize at 300,000 units in 2008. Little affected by the 2008-2009 crisis, sales picked up in 2009 to reach a new peak in 2011 (600,000 units).

- In 2012, a new reversal trend appeared. Sales declined by 6.4%, but in 2013, the market is again on the rise (+31% in the first two months).

- In twelve years, the Turkish market has increased from 360 000 units to 560 000 units. At current rates, this market could beat its record in 2013.

- The leader of the Turkish market is the Renault-Nissan group which benefits from a local presence of the Renault brand (Oyak) which has grown steadily since its inception in 1969. Renault has eaten a lot into Fiat (Tofas), formerly leader. The VW group is in second place.

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

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Great Wall will start production in Ecuador

- Great Wall will start vehicle assembly in its new factory in Ecuador in April, said Wang Fengying, president of the carmaker. The site will produce CKD (completely Knocked Down) vehicles from kits exported from China, said the C.E.O.

- This plant in Ecuador comes in addition to ten Great Wall factories already producing vehicles from kits in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa, and Bulgaria. With the launch of its new site in Ecuador, Great Wall plans to export 140,000 vehicles under the form of CKD kits towards its assembly plants outside China in 2013 (which corresponds to an increase of 43% compared to 2012).

- On its side, the Brazilian Latin American Motors group (working under contract with Great Wall) announced it will postpone to 2014 the assembly plant planned for Great Wall. This plant, to be located in Brazil, whose construction was to begin in 2013, is dimensioned for the production of 20,000 vehicles per year in a first phase . Great Wall will assemble there a pickup model and two recreational vehicles (CKD from China).