Category Blog

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Production on German soil: stability

- Unlike France, Germany has not conducted massive outsourcing.
It has now stabilized its production on its territory at a level close to where it was before the crisis of 2008/2009.
It could offset the European market weakness by exports outside Europe (where these exports have added sales from its local production), especially to China, USA and Russia.

- Worldwide production of German carmakers (PC + UV, more than 13 million vehicles), is in 3rd position behind that of Japanese carmakers (almost 20 million vehicles) and the United States (more than 14 million vehicles). It is just ahead of France (a little less than 12 million vehicles). It is, however, to be noted that this analysis is based on a consolidation of Chinese JV carmakers into quantities of traditional carmakers.

Data source: File #105 - Production in Europe detailed by model and plant

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Europe

The European market fell by 8% in 2012 (compared to 2011)

- The European market (Passenger Car vehicles) decrease in 2012 was mainly the consequence of markets collapse in South Europe: Spain (-13.4%), Italy (-19.8%), Portugal (-35.5%), Greece (-40.5%) and France (-13.9%).

A compensation phenomenon, entirely foreseeable, consisting in anticipated purchases within the frame of a scrapping scheme, led to a surplus of cumulative sales in 2009-2010-2011 in France and 2009 in Germany. These cars were not purchased in following years.

- The European market has experienced a 8% fall in 2012 compared to 2011, down to a total of nearly 11,770,000 VP. This is the worst figure since twenty years and no real recovery in 2013 is foreseen. Since 2007, the market fell by 22%, despite the scrapping schemes introduced in several countries.

- Only Britain recorded a significant increase in sales in 2012 (5.7%), but still far from the figures recorded in 2007 (2.05 million in 2012 against VP 2.4 million PC in 2007).

Data source: File #52 - Monthly registrations in Europe by countries and by makes

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Chery unveils its first model of its new brand Qoros

- The Chinese automaker Chery has unveiled its first model of its new brand Qoros. This C-segment model has been specifically designed for the European market. It should be presented at the next Geneva Motor Show (March 2013).

- This is the first time a model made by a 100% Chinese manufacturer has been designed to be sold exclusively on the European market.

- The model fits perfectly into the market with its styling inspired from existing models, to appeal to European customers. Chery’ target is to sell 50,000 units per year initially (150,000 at a cruise level).

- It may be noted some styling likeness to Renault (Fluence), Volkswagen (Jetta) and even Skoda (Octavia).

- But using the term copy is not appropriate. It is not here a copy of an existing model, as it was previously the case for models built by this carmaker Chery. The drawing (notcback) is clever but very classic. The dashboard is very simple but of good quality. So far no price has been announced.

Data source: File #52 - Monthly registrations in Europe by countries and by makes

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Nissan will use Lada platforms for its brand Datsun

- “Nissan will use Lada platforms for its low cost brand Datsun”, announced his vice-president for Europe, Colin Dodge.

- Datsun "Russian" will be produced in Togliatti, on the site of Avtovaz, where Lada brand vehicles are manufactured. Nissan will actually use the Lada Kalina / Granta to develop Datsun models. However the body and interior will be totally different.

- New Datsun will be sold in Russia, India and Indonesia from 2014. They will be locally produced (in Togliatti for Russia, in Chennai for India, in Cikampek for Indonesia).

- Two models will be introduced in 2014 and a third one in 2015. According to our information, expected vehicle prices will range from 3 000 to 5 000 Euros, which would make these models cheaper models than Renault Logan which are sold on these markets.

Data source: File #10 - Start of Production (SOP) of new and modified vehicles in Europe

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Volkswagen Golf and Renault Clio 4 on the rise in 2013

- 26 new models have been launched in Europe in 2012.

- Some of these models started their production in the beginning of 2012 and the production quantities will be in the same order of magnitude in 2013 compared to 2012. This is in particular the case of the BMW 3 series. Its production reached its cruise level already in 2012 and only small changes are to be expected in 2013.

- For other vehicles whose production started later in the year 2012, there will be a significant increase in production. This is in particular the case for:

-The new Volkswagen Golf (Golf VII) whose 170 000 units were produced in 2012 and for which a production output of more than 550 000 units can be expected in 2013.

-The new Renault Clio (Clio IV) whose 2012 produced quantities were a little less than 50 000 and should overpass 320 000 in 2013.

-Main changes in production quantities in Europe in 2013 will be the consequence of the rise in production of vehicles launched in 2012 - as presented in the present analysis- as well as the launch of new models in 2013 – see next analysis-.