Category Blog

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

French buy more and more used cars

- The French bought 7.3 million cars in 2012, including 1.9 million new cars and 5.4 million used cars.

- It is interesting to note that the “used cars/new cars” purchase ratio has increased significantly between 2009 and 2011 and accelerated in 2012 (2.3 cars for a new car in 2009, 2.5 in 2011 and 2.8 in 2012. However this proportion had already increased significantly between 2000 and 2003 (from 2.1 to 2.6). In the 90s, the proportion was 2 used cars for a new car.

- The stabilization of the "used car sales / new car sales" ratio between 2004 and 2008 can easily be explained by the arrival on the French market of low cost cars (Dacia) which took over used cars. The fall in the ratio in 2009 is explained by the scrapping bonus which has depressed the second hand market momentarily.

- Given the uncertainty of economy and new consumption modes, the ratio "used car sales / new car sales" will likely continue to grow, gradually rising to “3 to 1”.

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Bentley launchs the car to compete with the Rolls-Royce Ghost

-Bentley (luxury branch of the VW Group) launchs the Flying Spur new generation, a sport limousine that competes directly with the Rolls-Royce Ghost (BMW Group). Unlike the coupe and convertible Continental, simply retouched during the past year, the Flying Spur limousine has been entirely relifted. It remains equipped with the W12 engine (12 cylinders) and ranks as the fastest sedan in the history of the brand.

-Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, the Flying Spur definitively abandons the term "Continental" which appeared in its name.
The Bentley brand’s characteristic curves meet crisp, clean new edges in a remarkably sleek silhouette.
The side feature line runs along the car from the rear wheel arch in parallel with the low roof, down to its hand-fitted chrome front grille
It is 5.30 m long, i.e. 28 cm shorter than the Mulsanne (which competes with the Rolls-Royce Phantom).

-This Bentley runs actually even faster than the Rolls-Royce Ghost V12 (320km / h against 250 km / h), which makes sense given the sporting past of the Bentley brand.

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

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

PSA stated that it will market a “Hybrid-Air” car from 2016 on

- PSA will present a Citroën C3 Air Hybrid at Geneva motorshow.
Equipped with this technology, a C3 VTI 82 car does emit only 69 grams of CO2/km and a 2.9 l/100 km is expected. The consumption would be 30% lower than a thermal model and even 45% lower in a city driving.

- The Hybrid Air will likely be offered on PSA standard vehicles in PSA from 2016 on. Developed with Bosch, it combines a gasoline engine and an energy compressed air storage system which are connected by two hydraulic pump-motors and an automatic transmission.

- Equipped so, a model can run in three modes: Mode "Air", which allows compressed air to be transmitted to the wheels via hydraulic motors and the gearbox; Mode “Thermal", which transmits power to the wheels without interaction from the air (this mode is mainly interesting for an use outside of urban areas) and then the mode "Combined", which combines the power of the engine and compressed air, especially useful for accelerations.

- This hybrid compressed air (compatible with the EMP2 platform ) can be actually used instead of an electric motor . But the model weighs 100 kg more than a thermal model, i.e. 20kg more than an electric model. However the cost should be half the cost of an hybrid-electric solution.

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Probability is low for German market to reach again its peak level

- The German market maintained a high level between 2000 and 2008 (between 3 million and 3.5 million cars each year).
The scrapping bonus installed in 2009 revived the sales momentarily. The market reached 3.8 million units in 2009.

- In 2010, the German market has logically been adversely affected by the stop of the scrapping bonus. Sales have not exceeded 2.9 million units.

- In 2011, the German market returned to a level close to the one before the scrapping bonus (3.2 million units).
But a poor economy and demography factors specific to Germany (more deaths than births) lead the market to decrease down to 3.1 million units in 2012. A fall down to 3 million in 2013, and less than 3 million in the following years, can be expected.

- Carmakers: the VW group confirms its clear leadership position with sales well ahead of BMW’s and Daimler’s. The two U.S. carmakers GM and Ford lose market share each year . By itself, the VW group occupies 38% of the German market in 2012 against 36.5% in 2011.

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

The BMW 3-Series GT in competition with the Audi A5 Sportback

- BMW has unveiled the 5-door version of its 3 Series, named GT like the 5-door version of the 5 Series, which has been available since October 2009 (5 Series GT).
The BMW 3 Series GT will be fitted with the most powerful enginesof the 3 Series range, especially because this version is heavier, longer (20 cm) and taller (8cm) that the 4-door sedan version.

- 5-door versions were not usual at Premium manufacturers who have designed them very lately (the Audi A5 Sportback dates back to October 2009), while generalist carmakers (Renault, Citroen, Ford, Opel) sedans have offeres 5-door versions for decades. The Renault 16, launched in 1965, is the pioneer in this field.
BMW has learned its lesson from the commercial failure of the 5 Series GT. It has designed a more elegant silhouette for its 3 Series GT, with only one opening tailgate system (instead of two on the 5 Series GT). The Audi A5 Sportback, its direct competitor, however, is more thoroughbred.

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