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

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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.

 

 

13-08-02

  

The American carmakers continue to offshore production to Mexico and Canada

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The American carmakers continue to offshore production to Mexico and Canada
 
- The United States have offshored much production to Mexico in the 90s. 
This offshore strategy (vehicle manufacturing to countries with cheaper labor) continues in the 2000s.
The production volume in Mexico is 29% of the production volume in USA in 2012, against 24% in 2008 and 13% in 2005. Most car manufacturers  producing in the United States are now present in Mexico.
 
- The production transfer to Canada does not relate to the same logic.  it is not an offshore. Labour cost in in the U.S. and Canada are quite close. It is however interesting to observe the volume of production in this country compared to the United States and Mexico. 
The production volume in Canada is 24% of the production volume in USA in2012 , against 23% in 2008 and 21 % in 2005. Most car manufacturers  producing in the United States are now present in Mexico.
 
- In total, the share of U.S. production in North America has declined significantly over the past 20 years.

 

 

13-08-03

 

  

Qoros unveils two new versions of its European car

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Qoros unveils two new versions of its European car

 

- As stated previously by Inovev,  the Chinese manufacturer Qoros (brand created by Chery)  has ambition to sell its vehicles in Europe on a large scale, So far, all attempts of Chinese carmakers to market vehicles in Europe at significant levels have all failed, mainly because of poor results in the Euro NCAP crash test. It was in particular the case of Brilliance which had been considered as the first one  to be in position to come to Europe As Brilliance cars used to, Qoros cars have no real personality but are pleasing to the eye. But Qoros differentiates itself from Brilliance by the way it is designed and engineered. The Qoros 3 (ex GQ3) was designed from the very start in partnership with many European suppliers in order to be in position to obtain good  ratings in crash tests.

 

- The sedan vehicle is 4.62 m long and 1.84 m wide. It will compete with the Volkswagen Jetta, Renault Fluence and Skoda Octavia.

 

- At launch, the full range will be equipped  with gasoline engines. The four-cylinder 1.6 will be available in atmospheric version (126 hp) and turbo version (156 hp), either with a manual or dual-clutch. Qoros has also stated that it  has worked with AVL on new direct injection turbo blocks, a three-cylinder 1.2 and a four-cylinder 1.6 engines. There is no diesel version but a hybrid one, fitted  with the three-cylinder turbo 1.2. engine.

 

- Adapted to the Chinese market where sedan with trunks prevail,  the Qoros 3 Sedan is not a relevant offer for Europe. This is why Qoros plans to quickly widen its range. The first version to be launched will be a station wagon with a silhouette very close to the sedan’s. it will be followed by a five-door hatchback version. The concept car which will be presented in Geneva motorshow next March prefigures the future compact hatchback version, in position of attacking the heart of the compact market. 

 

 

13-07-10

 

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

 

 

Opel increased in January with new Mokka and Adam

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Opel increased in January with new Mokka and Adam
 
- In January 2013, all European non-Premium brands are declining (from January 2012), except Seat (+ 1.7%) and Opel (+4.6%), although the VW group (which includes Seat part) and GM (which includes Opel) decreased. The new  Seat Leon brought back some customers to Seat, while the new Opel Mokka and  Adam allowed the Opel brand to grow.
 
- These two Opel models do not substitute for any other Opel vehicle  but come  in addition to the existing range.
Both models fit well in the current epoch atmosphere. The Mokka is a small crossover (crossover market continues to grow in Europe) with a nice look. The Adam is a small urban chic and trendy vehicle (market of these vehicles also grows) inspired by the Citroën DS3, Mini and Fiat 500.
 
- Consequently  the Opel brand returned in January 2013 to the third position  of  the most widely distributed in Europe, behind Volkswagen and Ford, but before Renault and Peugeot. The two French brands will  market their small crossover (Renault Captur and Peugeot  2008) soon.

 

 

13-08-04

  

European market decreasing on

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European market decreasing on
 
- The European market (27 countries) fell by 8.2% in January 2013 to 920,814 units (cars), compared to January 2012, which was already down  by 6.2% compared to January 2011, itself down by 1.4% compared to January 2010. In three years, the volume of passenger car registrations fell by 15% (January 2013 compared to January 2010).
 
- On the same area, there is still poor performance for most carmakers. January 2013 compared to January 2012: Ford Group (-25.6%), Geely Group (-19.0%), PSA (-17.0%), Toyota Group (-16.5%), Fiat-Chrysler Group (-11.5%), VW Group (-6.3%), Renault-Nissan Group (-5.9% ), GM Group (-3.4%). ? Only four manufacturers perform well given the circumstances: Hyundai-Kia Group (+0.1%), Daimler (+3.8%), BMW Group (+7.0%) and Tata Group (+ 21.3%).
 
- The question now is whether this decline will continue or if it is possible to hope for a rebound. In 2013 it is unlikely that the European economy in general gets better. However, it is possible to hope for better conditions in southern Europe. It is to be noted that this European decline is indeed mainly due to economic conditions, but it is reinforced by structural factors: urban policy, carpooling and carsharing, disaffection of young people for cars ...

 

 

13-08-01

  

  1. Tofas plans to export Doblos to North America
  2. Indian market slows down
  3. Portuguese market decreased by half since 2010
  4. Renault commits itself to produce more in France
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