The evolution of the average weight of vehicles produced in Europe
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The evolution of the average weight of vehicles produced in Europe
- The average weight of passenger cars produced in Europe did not change between 2011 and 2019, whereas it had increased sharply between 1990 and 2010, from 1,020 kg to 1,380 kg. Inovev wondered why this average weight of vehicles produced in Europe had not changed between 2011 and 2019 and had suddenly stabilized. Indeed, with the arrival of SUVs in the 2000s, which now represent 40% of European production, one would have expected an increase in the average weight of vehicles, knowing that SUVs are heavier than sedans of the same segment.
- In fact, several factors played at the same time and contributed to the stabilization of the average weight. Sales of sedans and minivans have fallen sharply over the past twenty years, representing only 45% of European production in 2022 and the average weight of a sedan is now 1,314 kilos compared to 1,296 kilos in 2011. At the same time, SUV sales have increased considerably over the past twenty years, representing 40% of European production in 2022. The average weight of an SUV today is 1,720 kilos compared to 1,685 kilos in 2011.
- The most decisive factor was the shift of buyers from upper-segment sedans to lower-segment SUVs. For example, from D-segment sedans to C-segment SUVs, which have stabilized the average weight at the level of demand. This seems logical as the price of a C-segment SUV is in the same range as the price of a D-segment sedan.
- Finally and on a second level, sales of electric cars have increased over the last ten years and begin to have an impact, even if their production volume remains relatively low. The average weight of a BEV today is 1,730 kilos, whereas there were no electric cars until 2010. The average weight of a PHEV has decreased a lot due to the slippage of this type of motorization towards segments B and C, whereas at the beginning it was about vehicles of higher segments (D and E segments). Finally, the average weight of a thermal vehicle has remained stable since 2011.
The top 20 global carmakers in 2022 according to the Chinese ranking
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The top 20 global carmakers in 2022 according to the Chinese ranking
- While in the ranking of the world's top 20 car carmakers from a Western point of view – meaning integrating Western vehicles produced under license by Chinese carmakers into the production of Western carmakers – the first Chinese carmaker appears in the twelfth place (this is Geely, which does not produce foreign vehicles under licence), ahead of BYD (13th) and Changan (14th).
- In the ranking from the Chinese point of view – meaning integrating Western vehicles produced under license by Chinese carmakers in the production of Chinese carmakers – ranking that Inovev achieves each year – the first Chinese carmaker is in sixth position. , this is SAIC, which produces many models of the Volkswagen and GM groups under license, in addition to its own models marketed under the MG, Roewe and Maxus brands.
- SAIC produced 4.9 million vehicles in 2022 (including 3.8 million in J.V.) very close to VW group, from which the vehicles produced by SAIC have been removed here. The second Chinese carmaker is FAW (9th overall) with 3.2 million vehicles produced in 2022, including 2.6 million in J.V. The Dongfeng (DFM) and GAC groups follow in 11th and 12th place. The independent Chinese Geely, Changan and BYD are placed in 14th, 15th and 16th position.
- The general classification is relatively different, even if Toyota remains leader in the two classifications. The most disadvantaged Western carmakers in the Chinese ranking are obviously those that produce a lot in China, like VW or GM, and the most favoured are those that produce little in China, like Hyundai-Kia or Stellantis.
European plants operated at 58% capacity in 2022
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European plants operated at 58% capacity in 2022
- European car plants (including Turkey) operated at 58% of their capacity (compared to 59% in 2021, 62% in 2020, 81% in 2019, 83% in 2018 and 85% in 2017). These production capacities are estimated by Inovev at 23.15 million vehicles per year (excluding trucks) while production in Europe (European Union + UK + Turkey) did not exceed 13.4 million units, compared to 13.8 million in 2021, 14.5 million in 2020 and 18.9 million in 2019.
- The utilization rate of European plants therefore continued to plunge last year, due firstly to a production volume which has failed to recover since the health crisis of 2020 and secondly to a refusal by carmakers to close some of their plants largely underemployed.
- They are counting on a recovery in production over the next few years, thanks to a revival of sales in Europe and for export, but this should not be spectacular according to the forecasts of Inovev, which foresees a low growth.
- Sometimes, carmakers count on the arrival of new models on a particular production site. For example, Renault is maintaining its production capacities in Douai despite a very low production volume in 2022 (Talisman, Espace, Scénic models at the end of their life), because the carmaker plans to produce its electric range there, which is currently being developed ( R4, R5, Megane, Scenic, Micra).
- According to Inovev, it is however possible that in the long term, some carmakers will have no other choice but to close some of their plants.
The new European models planned for 2023
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The new European models planned for 2023
- After several months of absence of European novelties (new cars produced in Europe), carmakers should resume a normal rhythm of new model launches from spring 2023.
- Inovev counts around twenty new models that should be launched this year:
§ BMW: new 5 Series, new Mini, new Countryman.
§ Mercedes: new E-Class.
§ Ford: new battery electric SUV based on MEB platform from VW.
§ Hyundai: new battery electric Kona.
§ Citroën: new C3 and new C4 Aircross.
§ Peugeot: new 3008.
§ Mitsubishi: new Colt based on the Renault Clio.
§ Renault: new battery electric Scénic, new Espace derived from Austral.
§ Toyota: new CHR.
§ Audi: new A4.
§ Cupra: new Tavascan, new Terramar.
§ Porsche: new battery electric Macan.
§ Volkswagen: new Tiguan, new battery electric ID7, new Passat station wagon.
Tesla became the first Premium brand in the USA in 2022
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Tesla became the first Premium brand in the USA in 2022
- The Californian carmaker Tesla has gradually succeeded in becoming not only the leader of the US market for battery electric cars but also the leader of the US market for Premium cars. Tesla sold 484,351 electric vehicles in the USA in 2022, well ahead in this market of Ford (56,464 sales), Chevrolet (36,245 sales), Kia (28,506 sales), Hyundai (26,826 sales) and Volkswagen (19,665 sales). Tesla grabs two-thirds of the US BEV market in 2022, but it held more than 70% in 2021, as the offer has expanded in 2022 in the BEV category among all carmakers.
- Among the Premium carmakers and all motorisations included, Tesla (484,351 sales) is ahead of BMW (327,929 sales) for the first time. Mercedes (269,511 sales), Lexus (260,668 sales), Audi (184,279 sales) and Cadillac (133,521 sales) follow. Tesla therefore sells 3.5 times more than Cadillac. Tesla has 22% of the US market for Premium brands in 2022, compared to 20% in 2021, thanks to a 42% increase in sales in 2022 compared to 2021, due to the ramp-up of the Model Y.
- By model within the US BEV market, the Tesla Model Y (228,312 sales) and Model 3 (196,503 sales) largely dominate their competitors. In third place, the Ford Mustang Mach E did no better than 38,469 sales. It is closely followed by the Tesla Model X (33,081 sales) and Model S (26,455 sales). The Chevrolet Bolt (25,743 sales), Hyundai Ioniq 5 (22,560 sales), Kia EV6 (20,072 sales), Volkswagen ID4 (19,665 sales) and Rivian R1T (13,148 sales) follow. The Ford F-Series Lightning was sold at just 12,804 units last year, putting it in eleventh place among the best-selling electric models.
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