Bentley unveils new generation of Continental GT
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Bentley unveils new generation of Continental GT
- Bentley, which produces approximately 10,000 cars a year, is the luxury subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group. The current range includes the Flying Spur (launched in 2005, restyled in 2013) and Mulsanne (launched in 2009, restyled in 2016) sedans, the Continental GT (launched in 2002, restyled in 2010) coupé and convertible, and the Bentayga ( launched in 2016) SUV.
- In September 2017 Bentley unveiled the new generation of the Continental GT coupe. It shares its platform (MSB) with the Porsche Panamera and the Audi A8 (and not with the VW Phaeton, as did the previous generation) whereas the Bentayga SUV shares its platform (MLB) with the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne.
- The new generation of the Continental GT keeps the silhouette of the older generation, but many details differ (longer wheelbase, less front overhang, enlarged grille, almond shaped tail lights). The model is 4.81m long, 1.95m wide and 1.39m high, which is very similar to the dimensions of the old model.
- In terms of engines, the new Continental GT is available in V8 4.0 over 500hp and W12 6.0 over 600hp.
- Since the former Continental GT sold 66,000 units in 15 years (4,400 units per year), the new model could reach 5,000 units per year. The new model will be manufactured at the historic site of Crewe (England), like the old Continental GT and all Bentley models.
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Mercedes becomes the Number 1 premium carmaker in China
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Mercedes becomes the Number 1 premium carmaker in China
- The Mercedes brand became the leading premium brand in China in 2017, with 392,000 sales in this market in the first eight months of 2017, compared with 384,000 sales for BMW and 360,000 sales for Audi, with the other premium brands well behind. Cadillac barely exceeds 100,000 units, Land Rover does not reach 65,000 units, tied with Volvo, followed by Lexus (60,000 sales), Porsche (38,000 ), Infiniti (27,000 ), Jaguar (23,000 ), Lincoln (18,000 ) and Tesla (5,500 ). Other brands such as Maserati, Bentley, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini, Aston-Martin or DS make less than 5,000 sales.
- Audi still produces the most cars in China (350,000 units in the first eight months of 2017), ahead of Mercedes (294,000 units) and BMW (248,000 units), other brands (such as Cadillac or Volvo ) being largely distanced.
- The Audi brand thus produces locally 98% of what it sells in China, compared with 75% for Mercedes and 65% for BMW. These two brands therefore still have room to produce more in China. Interestingly, Cadillac does even better than Audi, as this American brand produces 99% of what it sells in China locally. Others, such as Lexus, Porsche, Lincoln or Tesla, do not produce in China and import all of their sales into China.
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続きを読む... Mercedes becomes the Number 1 premium carmaker in China
Citroën will launch the future C5 in 2020 and the future C4 in 2021
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Citroën will launch the future C5 in 2020 and the future C4 in 2021
- Citroën has confirmed that the third generation of the C5 will be launched in 2020. The first generation was launched in 2000 (replacing the Xantia) and the second generation in 2008. The production of this second generation has been stopped in Europe in June 2017, and so Citroen will have no D segment sedan for the three years between June 2017 and June 2020. During this time Citroën will sell the SUV C5 Aircross, which could be considered a C5 SUV, notably because of its name. This SUV is expected to be launched in one year, in September 2018.
- The future C5 sedan will share its platform with the future Peugeot 508 sedan which is expected to be launched in 2018. It will be produced on the same site as the future 508 in Mulhouse. On the other hand, in China, the second generation of the C5 will continue its career without major changes.
- Citroën will also stop the manufacture of the C4 in Europe in June 2018, and will not replace this model until 2021. They will therefore have no C segment sedans for the three years between June 2018 and June 2021.
- During that time Citroën will sell the restyled C4 Cactus, which has moved up the product range, but is still based on the C3-PF1 platform. This model should be marketed until 2021, when the future C4 will be launched, replacing both the current C4 and the restyled C4 Cactus. This future C4 will be produced at the Spanish site of Villaverde.
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続きを読む... Citroën will launch the future C5 in 2020 and the future C4 in 2021
Geely becomes China's Number 1 manufacturer in front of Changan
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Geely becomes China's Number 1 manufacturer in front of Changan
- In 2017 the Chinese manufacturer Geely became the leading independent Chinese manufacturer in the passenger car category, beating Changan who had held this position for many years. In the first eight months of 2017, Geely sold 805,000 passenger cars (55,000 of which were Volvo) while Changan did not exceed 720,000 sales.
- Geely benefited from their product range, better suited to the demand of today’s Chinese customers while the Changan range‘s image is too entry level , and the contribution of Volvo cars that are beginning to sell at a reasonavle rate in the Chinese market, even if Mercedes, BMW and Audi are still way ahead.
- In the overall Chinese and foreign manufacturers ranking, Geely is now in fourth position, just behind Honda, and largely behind VW and GM which remain way out front. But Geely has supplanted Renault-Nissan and Toyota.
- Changan temporarily retains its leading position if commercial vehicles are added, with 857,000 sales in the first eight months of 2017, compared with 821,000 sales for Geely which sells fewer utilities. But it is clear that this gap will decrease over the next months and that Geely will surpass Changan in terms of sales of VP + VUL, perhaps before the end of the year, and certainly in 2018.
- Globally, Geely has largely outdistanced Changan, thanks to the contribution of Volvo.
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続きを読む... Geely becomes China's Number 1 manufacturer in front of Changan
Ford could partner with Indian Mahindra
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Ford could partner with Indian Mahindra
- The US manufacturer Ford (6.3 million vehicles produced in 2016) and the Indian manufacturer Mahindra (0.6 million vehicles produced in 2016) are studying the possibility of building a strategic alliance. The two groups could cooperate in connected cars, autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles and component purchases.
- Grouping component purchases means there would be common parts (body, engine, transmission, interior) between Ford vehicles and Mahindra vehicles.
- In addition, the alliance between the two manufacturers would allow Ford to take advantage of Mahindra's distribution network in India (the world's fifth largest automobile market) and Mahindra to take advantage of Ford's distribution network in other emerging markets where it is not present.
- Mahindra remains one of the very last independent automakers, except chinese ones. As for Ford, there have been no major alliances since the sale of its Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo and Aston-Martin brands.
- Currently, Ford is the fifth manufacturer in India, behind Mahindra (fourth), and one of the country's leading exporters thanks to the Ecosport exported to Europe, but will no longer be in 2018 due to the transfer of Ecosport to Romania (60,000 units less for the annual production of Ford India).
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