Ford unveils the new F-series pick-up
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Ford unveils the new F-series pick-up
- The Ford F-Series pick-up has been the 80's best-selling model in the United States. This model has induced the popularity of full-size pick up on the market. A new model will be will launched shortly to compete with its rival Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra which has just arrived on the market.
- The successor to the current generation will carry on the main features of this impressive Atlas concept presented in Detroit.
With the rise of energy price and the ambient search for a more friendly environment in USA, American customers should have been expected to buy less heavy and greedy vehicles, but no.
With the rise of energy price and the ambient search for a more friendly environment in USA, American customers should have been expected to buy less heavy and greedy vehicles, but no.
- The Atlas Concept is little surprise ford Ford’s customers: huge grille, impressive ground clearance, and double-cab. Only the futuristic optical and crystal taillights distinguish really the concept car from a production model.
- Under the hood, Ford announced a new generation of EcoBoost engines combined with a Stop & Start system aimed at reducing consumption. Other new features are also noticeable: the ground clearance adjustable automatically, the extern al camera enabling a 360 ° view and a new cargo box for easy loading.
The Chinese market continues its growth with a new high in January
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The Chinese market continues its growth with a new high in January
- According to the CAAM data (CAAM: China Association of Automobile Manufacturers), the light vehicle sales in China rose to 2,039,000 units in January 2013: + 46.7% in January 2013 compared to January 2012, + 13 % compared to January 2011 and + 18,3 % compared to December 2012. Sales of passenger cars (including mini-buses) accounted for 1.73 million units (+ 49% versus January 2012). Sales of commercial vehicles accounted for 309,000 units (+34.8% versus January 2012).
- The comparison of January 2013 with January 2012 is to be conducted with caution. January 2012 production was low for a January month (January is usually the highest month in the year) due to the stop of governmental incentives (-26.6 % in January 2012 compared with January 2011, -24.4 % for passenger cars and -37,3% for the utility vehicles.)
- In January 2013, the independent Chinese brands rose by 53% to 747,000 cars and therefore have increased their market share to 43%. Other manufacturers ‘market share(JV’s market share) declined down to 57% The German JVs occupied 19% of the market, the Japanese JVs (including Nissan)13%, the U.S. JVs 12%, the Korean JVs 10%, and the French JVs (excluding Nissan): 3 %.
Data source: File #55 - Registrations in the World by makes
Read more... The Chinese market continues its growth with a new high in January
Tremendous breakthrough of SUVs in Europe
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Tremendous breakthrough of SUVs in Europe
- European production of cars (EU + Norway + Switzerland + Turkey) changed gradually since 2005. The SUV segment (including crossovers) has become over the years the second segment in terms of volume, just behind the segment B (vehicles such as Renault Clio) and to the C segment (vehicles such as VW Golf).
- All carmakers offer one or more SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicle) in its range. Volkswagen and Renault-Nissan groups lead the market, with respectively the VW Tiguan, Audi Q3, Audi and the Dacia Duster, Nissan Juke and Nissan Qashqai.
- Premium carmakers are also well established in the SUV market. Audi (whose production data are included into Volkswagen Group data), Land Rover, BMW, Daimler and Volvo occupy the 3rd, 4th, 6th and 7th places in terms of production.
- This SUV market might continue to grow under the push of a developing offer (Renault will launch the Captur and Peugeot the 3008, both manufactured in Europe ) or have peaked.
- In terms of sales, SUV segment occupied 15% of the European market in 2012 (against 12.5% in 2011 and 10.3% in 2010), driven by the success of the Nissan Qashqai (1.7% market share), VW Tiguan (1.2%), Dacia Duster (0.9%) and Nissan Juke (0.8%).
- Note: in the United States, the SUV market represents 30% of sales in 2012.
Thailand became the 10th automotive producer country in the world
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Thailand became the 10th automotive producer country in the world
- Thailand produced 2.45 million vehicles in 2012 (of which 0.96 million Passenger cars and 1.49 million pick-up), up by 68.3% compared to 2011 (which had however suffered from serious floods) and 49.2% compared to 2010, rising to 10th place as global producers of motor vehicles, ahead of France. Thailand has gradually become a global basis for the production of pick-up of small and medium tonnage.
- However TAPMA (Thai Autoparts Manufacturers Association) expects only a 2% growth for 2013 up to 2.5 million vehicles:
1.4 million slated for domestic sales and 1 million for exports.
1.4 million slated for domestic sales and 1 million for exports.
- By brands, Toyota dominates production in Thailand, ahead of Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Nissan, Honda, Ford, Mazda and GM.
Data source: File #104 - Worldwide Production data detailed by make from 2005 to 2012
Read more... Thailand became the 10th automotive producer country in the world
Nissan will produce a new compact sedan in Barcelona
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Nissan will produce a new compact sedan in Barcelona
- Nissan will produce a new compact sedan at its plant in Barcelona Spain, allowing the creation of about a thousand direct jobs on site, but at lower wages than today (which will add 3,000 indirect jobs ). The plant management and the unions have indeed reached an competitiveness agreement that plansl ower wages and more flexible working hours.
- The Japanese automaker will invest 130 million euros for the manufacture of this model whose 80 000 units per year are planned from July 2014. The vehicle will compete with the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Renault Megane. It is there a come back to a model positioning like the former Nissan Almera which had been removed from the range to launch the Qashqai crossover.
- Nissan believes there is a market within its model range not only for compact crossovers but also for a compact sedan . The Barcelona plant currently employs 3300 people and produces models Navara, NV200, Pathfinder and Primastar. Production of Pathfinder and Primastar is planned to be stopped in 2014. The plant produced 65,000 vehicles in 2012, representing 65% of its capacity (Note: the Nissan plant in Sunderland operates more than 100% of its capacity).
Read more... Nissan will produce a new compact sedan in Barcelona
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