Category Blog

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

The U.S. imported 867,000 vehicles from Europe in 2012

- The United States imported 867,000 vehicles in 2012 from Europe, including 643,000 from Germany, 122,000 from Britain, 45,000 from Belgium, 23,000 from Sweden, 22,000 from Slovakia, 10,000 from France and 2,000 from Hungary. Three-quarters of imports in 2012 are therefore of Germany (Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Volkswagen).

- Among the five most imported cars are two mid-range Mercedes (Class C and Class E) and two mid-range BMW (3 Series and 5 Series) from Germany, as well as the Mini (owned by BMW) from Britain. The only car imported from France is the Smart Fortwo. But from 2013, the Toyota Yaris for the US market will be imported in the USA from France instead of Japan.

- The level of 2012 EU imports (867 000 units) amounts back to the pre-crisis level of 2007, (873,000 units), after a bad year in 2008 (782,000 units), 2009 (651,000 units ), 2010 (716 000 units) and 2011 (814 000 units).

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

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Cadillac launches the third generation of the CTS

- Cadillac launches the third generation of the CTS. This model is classified as a “E segment” car according to the European segmentation and a "luxury compact car" according to the the United States segmentation. It competes with Mercedes E Class, BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 and the Lincoln MKZ (formerly Zephyr) on North American, European, Chinese and Russian markets.

- The first generation Cadillac CTS was launched in 2002 to replace the Cadillac Catera (rebadged Opel Omega) which had not been successful. This first generation CTS quickly established on the U.S. market where it dominated it ahead of the E-Class and 5 Series (61,000 sales in 2005) during a while.

- In 2007 the second generation of the CTS was launched. It also dominated the market during a while, ahead of the E-Class and 5 Series (59,000 sales in 2008). In 2012, however, it came behind the two German cars.

- This is the reason why a third generation appeared in 2013, this time clearly inspired by the line and the calendar of the Mercedes E-Class. It is to be noted that the Lincoln MKZ and Audi A6 are less sold since 2002 than the three leaders in this category.

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

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

The Thai market has tripled since 2007

- The Thai passenger car market has tripled since 2007, from 210,000 units to 680,000 in 2012. Thailand is one of the ASEAN countries (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Singapore) who has benefited from strong economic growth over the past dozen years.

- This economic growth favors the development of the automotive market. Vehicles sold in Asean are mainly manufactured in plants of this region (inhabited by more than 600 million people.) This region imports very few vehicles from other regions.

- As for carmakers, the Thai market is dominated by Japanese brands (Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubishi). Only two U.S. automakers GM and Ford have managed a foray in this market (6th and 7th place respectively).

- It is to be noted that 600 000 pick-up have been sold in 2012, almost as much as cars. Thailand is indeed one of the largest producers of pick-up in the world, exporting this type of vehicles in all countries. Japanese and American carmakers have chosen this country in the 90s as a global production base for the construction of medium-tonnage pick-up. The SUV market accounts for 100,000 sales in 2012. Finally 50 0000 trucks were sold in 2012.

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

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Irish market fell 60% since 2007

- The Irish car market is one of those who declined the most in Western Europe since the financial crisis of 2008. This market declined from 194,000 new car sales in 2007 to 79,000 units in 2012, a drop in sales of 60% in 5 years. The first 2 months in 2013, the Irish market is still losing 15% (compared to the first 2 months of 2012).

- The Irish market fell in 2012 down to its level in the 80s, reversing the dramatic growth of the 90s and 2000s. The market had indeed tripled during this period (reaching a peak of 237,000 units in 2000), as a result of spectacular economic growth. This economic growth was favored by an economic policy which reduced the rate of corporate tax, allowing the establishment of many foreign companies (mainly U.S.).

- In 2008, the financial crisis has particularly affected Ireland who had previously seen its property values explode. Banks have seen their incomes fall and the deficit grew in proportions very important. The government had to increased taxes in order to bail out the country's finances.

- As for carmakers, the former group leaders Ford and GM have been supplanted by the Volkswagen, Renault-Nissan and Toyota groups in 2012. The Volkswagen group accounts for a quarter of the Irish market in 2012.

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

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

The Opel Bochum plant will close down as soon as 2014

- The Opel plant in Bochum, Germany, will close down in 2014, two years earlier than formerly planned. Employees of the European subsidiary of General Motors have indeed rejected a restructuring plan negotiated by unions and management, which will lead to a complete shutdown of production in late 2014.

- This plant is the second one to be closed down by GM since 2010 (after the Antwerp one). In 2013, The U.S. has seven plants in Europe: Eisenach (Germany), Rüsselsheim (Germany), Bochum (Germany), Zaragoza (Spain), Ellesmere Port (UK), Luton (UK) and Gliwice (Poland ).

- GM plans to definitely stop the production of Opel ZafiraTourer MPV (114,000 units produced in 2012) on this site by the end of 2014. The model could be transferred to the Gliwice plant (which has already produced the Zafira in the past) or PSA Rennes, where production of an Opel model is planned, according to the 2012 GM-PSA agreements.

- It is to be noted that Opel is under strong pressure from GM to reduce its excess production capacity. Indeed, the production of Opel in Europe fell by nearly 36% between 2005 and 2012.