Category Blog

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

In Argentina, the production of passenger cars (PC) and utility vehicles (UV) experienced a 2.3% drop in February 2013 compared to February 2012

- According to ADEFA (the Association of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers), production in Argentina of passenger cars (PC) and utility vehicles (UV) fell 2.3% in February 2013 compared to February 2012.

- But thanks to January's increase (up 4.9% compared to January 2012), the first twomonths of 2013 experienced a slight rise compared to the first two months of 2012 (up 0.8%).

- In February 2013, 52 911 vehicles were produced, including 32 888 passenger cars (11.8% compared to February 2012) and 18 189 utility vehicles (up 12.9% compared to February 2012).

- Over the first two months of 2013, production was dominated by B group segments and by light utilities, which, between them, accounted for 84% of national production.

- Argentinian production is spread evenly between the various groups. Fiat-Chrysler was, over the first two months of 2013, the leading producer of vehicles (thanks to the Fiat Palio the Fiat Siena), followed by GM (with the Chevrolet Agile), Renault-Nissan (with the 2nd-generation Renault Clio), PSA (and the Peugeot 206+), VW (with the VW Suran and the VW Amarok), Toyota (with the Hilux), and lastly Ford (with the Ford Focus II and the Ford Ranger).

Data source: File #103 - Production Forecast (2017) in Americas detailed by models

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

The Chinese groups' multi-brand strategy called into question

- Nowadays, Chinese automotive groups generally have several brands (some of which are under joint ventures). Indeed, these groups have multiplied 100% Chinese brand launches over the last few years, in light of a local market projected to develop rapidly and on a massive scale. This strategy was inspired by the one adopted by US manufacturers in the 20s and 30s when the US market increased to a major extent.

- In China, this multi-brand policy faces the obstacle of the very large number of brands already on the market, consisting of 100% Chinese brands that are already established, and particularly foreign brands, which constitute 70% of the market.

- Chery illustrated this consideration by deciding to bring an end to its multi-brand strategy with the discontinuation in the next four years of the Chinese brands Rely and Riich, and the Cowin range.

- Other Chinese groups like Geely or FAW, are about to follow Chery. In particular, the reason for this trend is the very low volume of sales of certain brands that are 100% Chinese (in the case of FAW and Chery) and by a risk of cannibalisation of a secondary brand by the group'sprimary brand (in the case of Geely and its Emgrand brand).

- So consequently it is the multi-brand strategy of the Chinese groups as a whole which is now being called in question. A reduction in Chinese brands, and even a single-brand strategy could, to the contrary, have the beneficial effect of better positioning of these brands and give them a higher profile in the sales rankings in China compared to foreign brands. The Chinese groups could therefore draw inspiration from the GM Group, which increased Chevrolet's sales volumes by placing its brand on Daewoo models.

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

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Production

84.1 million passenger cars (PCs) and utility vehicles (UV) were produced worldwide in 2012

- The OICA (International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers) has announced that global vehicle production amounted to 84.1 million units in 2012, which was up 5% compared to 2011. After a fall in 2009 due to the economic crisis of 2008, global production has therefore returned to a good growth rate, although there are however major variations depending on the regions in question.

- China remained the leading producer of vehicles last year, with 23% of global production, ahead of the European Union (19%), the United States (12%), Japan (12%), South Korea (5%), India (5%), Brazil (4%), Mexico (4%), Thailand (3%), Canada (3%), and Russia (3%).

- In 2012, global production was characterised by major in roads made by Asia, which now accounts for 51 % of global production.

- Production in Asia increased 9.6% last year due to Japan and Thailand catching up, whichwere hit hard by climate events the year before.

- European production fell 7.3% due to the 8% drop in the local market, which is the primary recipient of its production.

- US production increased 17.4%, with the buoyant local market rising 13.4 %, there by returning to a pre-crisis level (2007).

- South American production fell 3.5% due to exports falling, mainly in Brazil, particularly with exports of the VW Fox being discontinued (replaced by the Up! model in Europe).

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

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Sales of passenger cars (PC) and utility vehicles (UV) in Mexico increased in February 2013 by 7.3% compared to February 2012

- According to AMIA (the Mexican Automotive Industry Association), sales of passenger cars (PC) and utility vehicles (UV) increased 7.3% in February 2013 compared to the same month last year.

- The volume of sales for the month of February thus amounted to 80 193 units, making this February the best one since 2008.

- With January also experiencing a rise, the first two months of 2013 witnessed a sales increase of 9.4% compared with the same period last year.

- The February 2013 increase (compared with February 2012) on the Mexican market was sustained by:

- SUVs (up 16.4%), dominated by the Honda CR-V, in spite of a drop in its sales.

- D and E segment vehicles (up 15.6%), led by the VW Passat.

- Small cars (up 16.8%) with the Nissan Versa holding number 1 ranking in the segment.

- For their part, the other segments experienced a fall: B segment (-3.3%), people carriers (-11.8%), and pick-ups (-5.1%).

-Over the first two months of 2013, the market continued to be dominated, in terms of order of importance, by the following groups: Renault-Nissan (up 9.35%), GM (up 7.96%), VW (up 21.15%), Fiat-Chrysler (up 7.65%), Ford (up 5.78%) and Honda (up 11.78%).

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

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Rolls-Royce launches a coupé derived from the Ghost

- Previously, there was only one Rolls-Royce coupé: the Phantom Coupé. From 2013 onwards, there will also be a Ghost coupé. This new model, which is more compact than the Phantom coupé, is called the Wraith. This name is evocative of the famous Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith models of the 1950, which were luxury limousines that gave rise to the PhantomV ceremonial limousine in 1959, and then the Phantom VI in 1968. This name has now been put to a new use in order to name the coupé derived from the Ghost saloon.

- Faced with Bentley, the new Wraith stands as a competitor to the Continental GTC, although the latter does turn out to be more sporty.Presented in a classic style, the Rolls coupé has a very original rear section which is quite different from the old Corniche or Camargue, and is also very different from the Phantom coupé, which has a large boot.

- It should be noted that the builder has adopted the opening system used in the Phantom coupé and cabriolet; namely opening from the front towards the back, just like cars did in the 30s and 40s.

- As we know, Rolls-Royce belongs to BMW, and the brand's only production plant is at Goodwood (Great Britain). Its range currently consists of the Ghost, the Phantom, and now the new Wraith.