South Africa exports Mercedes C-Class vehicles to Europe
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South Africa exports Mercedes C-Class vehicles to Europe
- The Mercedes C-Class is a premium D-segment sedan whose origins date back to 1982 with the launch of the Mercedes 190, the brand's first compact sedan. From the outset, this model was produced at the Mercedes plant in Bremen, in northern Germany, not far from the site of the former Borgward Group factories, which had gone bankrupt in 1961.
- In 2015, the GLC, an SUV derived from the Mercedes C-Class, was launched and produced at the same Bremen plant. It initially supported and then surpassed the sedan in terms of sales volume. By 2024, 244,740 GLC units had been produced, while the C-Class sedan had not exceeded 43,212 units, according to official VDA figures.
- Given that the C-Class sedan was sold in 54,672 units in Europe in 2024 and 35,590 units in the United States, it was necessary – taking into account that the C-Class has not been produced in the United States since 2020 – to import the C-Class from South Africa, a country which has a production site dedicated to the Mercedes C-Class.
- In fact, the number of C-Class vehicles imported from South Africa depends each year on demand for this model in Europe and the United States, as the production capacity of the Bremen plant (currently estimated at 350,000 vehicles per year) is insufficient to produce enough Mercedes GLCs and C-Classes to meet global demand. And likely for profitability reasons, Mercedes focuses more on SUVs than sedans at its Bremen site. However, the transfer of some GLC production to the US, announced by the carmaker for 2027 (60,000 units per year), would free up capacity in Bremen and could therefore put an end to C-Class imports from South Africa.
Citroën is producing 40,000 C3s in Serbia in addition to those made in Slovakia
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Citroën is producing 40,000 C3s in Serbia in addition to those made in Slovakia
- Citroën is enjoying a notable success with its recent C3 and C3 Aircross models, built on the Indian-made Small Car platform but improved in many ways. In 2025, the brand with the double chevron logo expects to sell 210,000 C3 and C3 Aircross models in Slovakia (Trnava) plus 40,000 in India and Brazil, for a total of 250,000 units. This compares to 265,000 in 2024 (175,000 in Slovakia) and 265,000 (157,000 in Slovakia) in 2023. Citroën anticipates sales of nearly 300,000 in 2026 (250,000 in Europe), given that both models are relatively new and are still ramping up production in Europe after experiencing production delays since their launch. Demand for the C3 is increasing, particularly due to social leasing which in France allows people to acquire a new car for 100 euros per month, depending on their income.
- Citroën could produce 250,000 C3 and C3 Aircross at the Trnava site, but Stellantis management preferred to produce from starting next year 210,000 units at Trnava and an additional 40,000 units at the Serbian site of Kragujevac where the Fiat Grande Panda is produced on which it is based on the same Small Car platform.
- Why? For the simple reason that the Fiat Grande Panda isn't as successful as the C3. Fewer than 30,000 units will be produced at the Kragujevac plant in 2025, suggesting that the factory is operating well above capacity, even though this model is also ramping up production. The 40,000 C3s produced at this site each year will help bring the plant closer to its long-term target of 150,000 units per year. The carmaker hasn't specified whether these will be internal combustion or electric versions.
The Seat Martorell plant is back on track
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The Seat Martorell plant is back on track
- Contrary to what had been announced by the Volkswagen group, the Seat brand will not be discontinued by 2030. Initially, the Volkswagen Group had planned to develop the Cupra brand, positioned as sportier and more expensive than Seat, with the aim of increasing profit margin rather than volume, but this encountered several obstacles. In an environment where the purchasing power of European customers is limited and stagnant, the demand for cheap vehicles remains significant (to the point that the Dacia Sandero was the best-selling car in Europe in 2024).
- The Martorell plant (Spain) will ultimately not be used to produce all of the Volkswagen Group's A/B segment electric cars (ex ID1, ex ID2 and derivatives) since the model that was to be called ID1 will be produced in Portugal and the other model that was to be called ID2 X will be produced in Pamplona (Spain), as well as its Skoda version.
- Given that electric car sales are not as high as initially projected, the Martorell plant will ultimately not produce as many cars as anticipated. Therefore, another range of vehicles will be needed to bring volume to this factory, especially since the Audi A1, which is produced there, is expected to cease production next year.
- It was difficult for the Volkswagen Group to replace the small Seat Arona and Ibiza with Cupra models of the same size, as the Cupra brand is positioned in the premium segment and has a sporty focus, which doesn't suit either the Arona or the Ibiza. Conclusion: the Seat brand will continue to exist beyond 2030, with a range of economical vehicles that could align more closely with Dacia's philosophy.
Renault and Geely are collaborating in Brazil
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Renault and Geely are collaborating in Brazil
- The Renault group is seeking to strengthen its presence outside Europe, especially after the clearly stated desire for independence of its former partner Nissan, which resulted in a decrease in Renault's stake in Nissan.
- In 2024, and likely in 2025, the Renault Group still generates 69% of its global sales in Europe. Its second largest market is South America (8% of global sales), tied with Turkey (8% of global sales), two regions where Renault has a strong presence in terms of assembly plants. The rest of the world accounts for only 15% of its global sales, with a notable absence in China (the world's largest market) and the United States (the world's second largest market).
- To strengthen its presence outside Europe, Renault is counting on its new ally, the Chinese company Geely, which already owns Volvo Cars and is a shareholder in Horse (Renault's subsidiary for internal combustion and hybrid engines).
- A collaboration has already been established in South Korea with the launch of the Renault Grand Koleos, based on a Geely SUV and produced at Renault's Korean plant. Now, a new collaboration between the two carmakers has been established in Brazil. Renault and Geely have entered into a strategic partnership to produce electric and hybrid vehicles based on Geely 's GEA platform, with an investment of over €620 million and a 25% stake for Geely in Renault do Brasil. This cooperation will result in:
• The launch of two vehicles in the second half of 2026, based on the GEA platform. It was not specified whether these would be solely Geely models, Renault models, or both.
• The launch of an updated version of a Renault model in the second half of 2026.
• The launch of a new, all-electric platform that will be used by Renault for a model launched in 2027.
Inovev forecasts around 75,000 Renault Twingo E-Tech vehicles sold in 2030
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Inovev forecasts around 75,000 Renault Twingo E-Tech vehicles sold in 2030
- Renault has unveiled the new all-electric Twingo E-Tech (A-segment), which will go on sale in spring 2026. It remains quite close to the concept presented last year but features five doors, like the latest Twingo sold from 2014 to 2024. The new model's one-box design is reminiscent of the first version presented in 1992 (which only had three doors). Measuring 3.79 m long, 1.72 m wide, and 1.49 m high, the Twingo E-Tech was designed in-house (and no longer with the help of Mercedes, as with the previous generation) in both Europe and China. The main advantage of the Twingo E-Tech compared to the Renault 4 E-Tech and Renault 5 E-Tech is that it will appeal to customers looking for a more affordable electric car (under €20,000).
- Given its low price, the Twingo E-Tech is positioned as an economical city car, hence its 82 hp electric motor coupled with a 27.5 kWh battery, allowing for a limited range of 263 km in the best-case scenario. This model is not yet the E-Car envisioned by the European Commission, as it is €5,000 more expensive, but it remains one of the least expensive electric models on the market today, although the Dacia Spring is even cheaper (€17,000).
- The Renault Twingo E-Tech is expected to lead to a future Dacia of the same dimensions and also a future Nissan. These three vehicles will be produced in the same factory, in Novo Mesto, Slovenia. Inovev forecasts 76,000 Twingos sold in 2030, plus 46,000 Dacias and 28,000 Nissan derivatives, for a total of 150,000 cars.
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