The global automotive market declined by 5.8% in the first quarter of 2019
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The global automotive market declined by 5.8% in the first quarter of 2019
- The global automotive market (PC+LCV) declined by 5.8% in the first quarter of 2019, compared to the first quarter of 2018. The trend observed during the last quarter of 2018 is therefore continuing at the beginning of 2019. However, the analysis of sales figures shows a noticeable improvement since the beginning of this year. Indeed, from a decline of -11% recorded in September 2018, the world automotive market gradually fell to -8% in January 2019, then to -5% in February 2019 and finally to -4.5% in March 2019.
- Nevertheless, most countries recorded a decline in the first quarter of 2019, except Brazil, which recorded a 10% increase. It is very rare to observe such a large number of countries declining at the same time during a single quarter. The last time such a situation could be found was during the 2008-2009 financial crisis. The OECD forecasts a poor economic situation in 2019, while the automotive market seems to be improving month after month.
- The driving force of the global automotive market, China, fell sharply in the quarter (-11.3%). At the same time, the other two major markets, the United States, and Europe 29 countries, posted a decline of 3.1% and 2.1% respectively.
- By category, there was a sharp decline in passenger car sales (-8.5%) in the first quarter of 2019, but a slight increase in commercial vehicle sales (+1.3%), observed in most countries. This means that the relative lack of confidence of individuals in the future contrasts with some serenity at the companies that are buying commercial vehicles.
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The Shanghai 2019 Motor Show presented 108 new products, including 54 concept cars
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The Shanghai 2019 Motor Show presented 108 new products, including 54 concept cars
- The Shanghai Motor Show took place in April 2019, in an uncertain climate for the Chinese automotive market. Registrations are indeed in their ninth consecutive month of decline, a situation that had not been observed since the 1980s, at a time when sales in the country were insignificant. In 2018, this market fell to 28 million units from 29 million in 2017, but is expected to stabilize in 2019 and grow again in 2020. In the short term, market recovery could be encouraged by the Chinese government, although it has already announced that it will no longer lower taxes on the purchase of new cars and that it will cut aid for the purchase of electric cars by half.
- In the medium term (5 to 10 years), however, the Chinese market, the world's largest market, still has strong potential, estimated at 32-35 million sales per year, as many regions are still poorly motorized.
- Of the 108 new products listed by Inovev at the 2019 Shanghai Motor Show:
• There are 54 concept cars and 54 cars on sale in 2019 , a proportion of 50/50.
• Moreover, there are 48 100% electric ,and 12 plug-in hybrid models.
• There are 56 new products from Chinese manufacturers ,and 52 from non-Chinese manufacturers.
• And there are 58 SUVs, 32 sedans, 12 coupes/cabriolets, 5 minivans and 1 pickup truck.
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Read more... The Shanghai 2019 Motor Show presented 108 new products, including 54 concept cars
GM innovations at the Shanghai Motor Show 2019
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GM innovations at the Shanghai Motor Show 2019
- The GM group is the second largest manufacturer in China after the Volkswagen group, with a volume of 3.627 million vehicles sold on this market in 2018 (compared to 3.893 million units in 2017). In China, the GM group markets the Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, Baojun and Wuling brands.
- The GM group suffered a 6.8% drop in sales in China in 2018, a more significant decline than the Chinese passenger car market as a whole (-4.1%). The American manufacturer therefore intends to re-boot its sales in 2019, which is why it presented many new products at the Shanghai Motor Show this year.
- Chevrolet unveiled the entry-level Onix sedan (C-segment sedan replacing the Cavalier), the Monza sedan (D-segment sedan between the Cruze and the Impala), the Tracker SUV (replacing the Trax), the Trailblazer SUV (which is derived from the Blazer sold in North America), the Orlando SUV (which is a 7-seat variant of the Tracker), and the Carryall SUV (which is a 7-seat variant of the Trailblazer).
- Buick unveiled the new generation of its Encore SUV (derived from the Tracker), which was previously a derivative of the Opel Mokka. After the acquisition of Opel/Vauxhall by the PSA group in 2017, the future Opel Mokka planned for 2020 will no longer have anything to do with this Buick SUV. Buick also unveiled the new generation of the GL8 MPV, which is one of the few higher segment MPVs still enjoying some success in the Chinese market.
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Volkswagen innovations at the 2019 Shanghai Motor Show
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Volkswagen innovations at the 2019 Shanghai Motor Show
- The Volkswagen brand (China's leading OEM with a 13.6% market share) presented many new products at the 2019 Shanghai Motor Show, while several Chinese brands were absent.
- The German automaker, which suffered a 10.6% drop in sales in the first quarter of 2019 compared to the first quarter of 2018, introduced plug-in hybrid versions of the Lavida (the best-selling car in China in 2018), Passat and Tiguan, as well as its first electric vehicle based on the SEM platform: the I.D. Roomzz concept (an SUV is to be launched in this form as of autumn 2021).
- The German brand also presented the new generation of the Sagitar as well as a coupé based on the Teramont SUV, called Teramont X, which is inspired by what Porsche presented on its stand, a coupé based on the Cayenne SUV.
- The most striking fact at Volkswagen, however, remains the presentation of the first models of the Jetta brand (name of an old Volkswagen model), which is intended to be a low-cost brand, but which in fact includes all of the models of the Seat brand (unknown in China) rebranded Jetta.
- Thus, the VA3 sedan is a Seat Toledo rebadged with a different grille, the SUV VS5 is a Seat Ateca rebadged with a different grille, and the SUV VS7 is a Seat Tarraco rebadged with a different grille. The Seat brand is therefore surreptitiously entering the Chinese market under the Jetta brand, which enjoys a reputation far beyond the reach of the Seat name.
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The Renault City K-ZE will be marketed under several brands
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The Renault City K-ZE will be marketed under several brands
- At the 2019 Shanghai Motor Show, Renault unveiled the final version of its 100% electric city car (A segment sedan), which is derived from the Kwid sold in India and Brazil. This model, named City K-ZE, is the first new special electric model of the Renault brand since the launch of the Zoé in 2011. Compared to the Zoé (which will be renewed next autumn), the City K-ZE is in a lower category, that of the Renault Twingo.
- But unlike the Twingo and Zoé, the City K-ZE will be marketed mainly in China. First, because China, which absorbs 60% of the world's electric car sales, requires car manufacturers present in the country to sell more and more electric cars (2 million in 2020, 7 million in 2025, 16 million in 2030). Secondly, because the City K-ZE would be a dangerous competitor for the Zoe if it were offered in Europe. Finally, because Renault wants to quadruple its sales in China thanks to the City K-ZE (from 50,000 units in 2018 to 200,000 in 2022, excluding the Jinbei and Huasong brands).
- The K-ZE will be manufactured in the Shiyan factory (Hubei province), in partnership with Dongfeng. This plant, with a production capacity of 120,000 units per year, will also produce the K-ZE under the Nissan, Venucia and Dongfeng brands.
- The K-ZE is based on the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi group's CMF-A platform and has a range of 200km (WLTP cycle). The K-ZE has the same dimensions as the internal combustion engine Kwidsold in India (2.42m wheelbase) and should be sold at a very competitive price.
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