- The European and Chinese passenger car markets, which should represent respectively 11 million units and 21 million units over the whole of 2022 (the US market should be equivalent in volume to the European market) are very different in terms of market segments. The big difference between the two big markets is the strong D-segment presence in China and the strong B-market presence in Europe. Recall that passenger cars are classified into segments from A to F, depending on their size and price, with A-segment cars being the smallest and cheapest, F-segment cars being the largest and most expensive. more expensive.

- In the European market, in the first half of 2022 compared to the first half of 2021, we observe very little change. Segments B and C represent the same market share from one year to the next, 35% for each of the two segments. Only change, segment D goes from 14% to 15% while segment A goes from 7% to 6%. The E segment does not exceed 5%, the F segment being anecdotal.

- On the Chinese market, we observe a little more change, the C and D segments being the first represented, but in reverse order in 2022, since the D segment is the most represented in 2022 with a market share of 41% (compared to 38% in 2021) ahead of the C segment with a market share of 40% (compared to 43% in 2021). The A and B segments are very weak (5% and 3% in 2022 respectively) despite the success of the Wuling Mini EV. The E segment (5% in 2022 as in 2021) is as weak in China as in Europe and the F segment is just as anecdotal.

- Sales of all-electric cars (BEVs) accounted for 10.3% of the European passenger car car market in 2021 and 11.9% in the first half of 2022. But there is a real distortion between the countries in the West of Europe (17 countries) which represents 98% of total BEV sales in 2021 and Eastern European countries (12 countries) which represents only 2% of these total sales. Specifically, BEV market share reaches 11.2% in Western Europe in 2021 and 2.3% in Eastern Europe. The proportions are not very different in the first half of 2022.

- This situation raises the question: how will we be able to sell 100% of electric cars in 2035 in a region where these vehicles represent only 12% of total sales in 2022 and – even worse – in a region where these vehicles represent only 2 % of total sales? Should we create a two-speed European BEV market?

- On the other hand, it is interesting to note that there is also a distortion within Western Europe itself, that is to say between the North and the South of the region. Northern countries such as Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland buy a lot of BEVs (27% market share in 2021 on average) while Southern countries such as Spain, Italy and Greece in buy very few (4% market share in 2021 on average). Economic health and purchasing power are certainly related to this distortion, electric vehicles being much more expensive than internal combustion vehicles. Here again the question arises: Should we create a two-speed European market for BEVs within Western Europe itself?

- While we learn that the Geneva Motor Show is canceled for the fourth time in 2023 (it had already been canceled in 2020, 2021 and 2022), the Paris Motor Show will take place from 17 to October 23, 2022, whereas it had been canceled in October 2020 (this Show takes place every two years). Many carmakers will be absent, preferring to bet on other means of communication, but new carmakers who had never exhibited in Paris are appearing, such as the Chinese BYD and Great Wall, or the French start-ups NamX and Hopium who are betting on the hydrogen vehicle.

- The carmakers who have confirmed their presence are: Alpine, BYD, Dacia, DS, Fisker, Great Wall, Jeep, Peugeot and Renault.

- In conclusion, Peugeot, Renault and Dacia will try to monopolize the Show, alongside small-volume brands in Europe, including the Chinese BYD and Great Wall, which will try to make themselves known in Europe through this Show.

- The carmakers who have officially withdrawn from being present are the following: Abarth, Alfa-Roméo, Audi, BMW, Citroën, Cupra, Fiat, Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia, Lamborghini, Lancia, Land Rover, Lexus, Maserati, Mercedes, Mini, Porsche, Seat, Skoda, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, representing an overall sales volume representing nearly 60% of the European market in 2022. Other carmakers could make a decision during the month of September, such as Ford, Tesla or Volvo.

- BYD and Great Wall note today that their Chinese competitors (MG, Polestar, Lynk&Co, Hongqi, Maxus, Dongfeng, Nio, JAC, Xiaopeng, Aiways) already represent 85,000 sales in Europe over the first 7 months of 2022, i.e. a potential of 140,000 to 150,000 sales over the whole year. This decided them to take a closer interest in the European market.

- Passenger car production volume is down 11% in Europe (29 countries) in the first half of 2022 compared to the first half of 2021, to 4.2 million units from 4.7 million, but the only producing country that is progressing this year is France (+6.7%) which benefits partly from the increase in production rates of the new Peugeot 308 (in Mulhouse) as well as the good performance of the Opel Mokka (in Poissy), while that the fall (in Douai) of the Renault Espace, Scenic and Talisman is offset by the increased production rates of the electric Mégane E-Tech. Similarly, the arrival of the Fiat Scudo (in Valenciennes) compensated for the stoppage of the Fiat Talento (in Sandouville). It should be noted, however, that the volume of production in France had continued to decrease between 2017 and 2021, falling from 1.75 million to 0.92 million (representing a drop of 47.5% in four years). It was still 2.55 million in 2007 and even 3.11 million in 2005.

- The production results of the other European countries in 2022 (first half) are all down. For example, we note -3.7% in Germany, which remains the leading producer country in Europe, -21.3% in Spain, -19.1% in Great Britain and -12.4% in Italy.

- The countries of Eastern Europe achieve even poorer scores, in particular because the segment A models that were manufactured there tend to disappear. This is the case with the Peugeot 108, Citroën C1, Skoda Citigo, Seat Mii, Volkswagen Up, Smart Forfour, etc. In addition, the Fiat 500 made in Poland is increasingly cannibalized by the electric Fiat 500 made in Italy.

- Added to this was the overall decline in the European market (-13.8%) which affected all carmakers.