- Despite a series of recommendations from the Chinese government urging motorists and manufacturers to turn to low-emission vehicles, only 7,748 hybrid and electric vehicles were sold in China in the first quarter of 2013, of which 4033 hybrid "classic" , 2874 301 electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.

- Such a low level of sales is achieved even though  buyers of plug-in electric and electric vehicles are eligible for a bonus of 60,000 Yuan (7,420 euros) and 50,000 Yuan (6,180 euros), respectively. In contrast, Chinese motorists acquiring a "classic" hybrid model receive a premium of only 3,000 Yuan (370 euros).

- In comparison, Japan has purchased 154,234 hybrid and electric vehicles in the first quarter of 2013. Europe bought on its side15,000 such vehicles in the same period and the USA 150,000 vehicles.

- Despite the high premium level offered, hybrid and electric vehicles are on low demand in China. An immature market (equipment market and not renewal) market,  a non adequate product offer, and prices too high (in comparison with combustion engine  vehicles) may explain the poor sales of such vehicles in China.

- The environmental plan of the Chinese government, however, could help boost sales in the coming years.

- To respond to  the American market very demanding of luxury cars, the three largest Japanese carmakers Toyota, Nissan and Honda had launched specific brands in this segment in 1989, respectively: the Lexus, the Infiniti and the Acura.

- These brands were in competition not only with the American brands Cadillac and Lincoln, but also and more to the point German brands such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

- The three Japanese luxury brands will gradually be set as equals in the U.S. market with two American brands and the three German brands. However, worldwide, the volume of their total sales never exceed 730 000 units per year (a record achieved in 2007), against 3 to 4 million units annually for the three German brands.

- Their distribution is restricted in Europe, by a market attached to traditional and historical brands. On the other hand, the three Japanese luxury brands are not so present on all markets (particularly in Asia), unlike Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

- In 2012, these three brands sold 660,000 vehicles worldwide, three-quarters of which in the U.S. Lexus remains the most international brand with 30% of its sales outside the U.S.. Infiniti sells only 20% of its car models outside the U.S. and Acura only 2%.

- The production of the Audi A3 Sedan (the small family car and four-door versions of the Audi A3) was launched a few months after that of Mercedes CLA Sedan. Both models will be joined by the small family car by BMW the 2 Series (Gran Coupe). Premium German carmakers have hence launched themselves in the small family car body type(European C segment), where were up to today only present the standard car makers.

- Audi plans for the A3 Sedan to take up 50% of global sales of the A3 range, in other words 200 000 units per year for this new model. Among the 200,000 annual units, some will be produced in China (for domestic sales) and the rest will be produced in Hungary (for worldwide sales outside of China).

- The Mercedes CLA Sedan is manufactured in Hungary, while currently it is unclear which country the the BMW 2 Series  will be produced.

- We are witnessing a relocation of premium carmakers to small family car models (European C segment), partly due to German car maker’s capacities approaching saturation .

- This relocation is in addition to the production of lower segments vehicles outside of Germany  : Belgium for the Audi A1, Britain for the Mini (BMW) and France for the Smart Fortwo (Mercedes).