Inovev forecasts to sell 5,000 units per year of the new Mercedes VLE
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Inovev forecasts to sell 5,000 units per year of the new Mercedes VLE
- Mercedes has just unveiled the new generation of its large, battery electric EQV minivan, now called the VLE, as the carmaker has decided to gradually phase out the EQ designation in its new electric range. This is the case for the recent electric versions of the Mercedes GLB and GLC SUVs, as well as the recent electric versions of the CLA sedans.
- The VLE minivan draws inspiration from the recent trend of large luxury minivans, particularly those developing in the Chinese market. As a result, the VLE boasts a level of prestige never before seen in this type of vehicle in Europe, approaching that of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class Maybach. It is built on a platform (VAN.EA) and features a completely bespoke 800V electrical architecture, unlike that of a standard commercial vehicle, offering performance, handling, and comfort comparable to any high-end sedan.
- Measuring 5.30 m long, 2.00 m wide, and 2.00 m high, the VLE features a 115 kWh NMC battery coupled to a 262 hp (193 kW) electric motor mounted at the front, enabling a range of 700 km according to the WLTP cycle—twice that of the previous EQV. This improvement is due not only to the large-capacity battery but also to significant enhancements in aerodynamics and electric motor efficiency. Mercedes thus announces a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.25, identical to that of the new generation of electric vehicles.
- The electric vehicle will also be available from next year in a lower battery capacity version (80 kWh battery) and a more powerful version (dual motors totaling 409 hp ). Inovev estimates annual production of the electric vehicle at 5,000 units (in Vitoria, Spain), which is almost double the production volume of the previous EQV. Until further notice, the Mercedes V-Class hybrid continues to be marketed without any changes to its body style.
Inovev forecasts 50,000 units per year of the new Dacia Striker
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Inovev forecasts 50,000 units per year of the new Dacia Striker
- The carmaker Dacia (a subsidiary of Renault) continues its move upmarket by unveiling a raised C-segment station wagon called Striker, based on the same platform as the Bigster SUV, as well as the internal combustion and hybrid engines.
- This model is now the longest in the Dacia range, at 4.62 m long, 5 cm longer than the Bigster and 7 cm longer than the Jogger. It also has no equivalent in the Renault range, which has progressively abandoned its C and D segment sedans and station wagons with internal combustion engines. In the Dacia range, the Striker is to the Jogger what the Bigster is to the Duster, i.e. a slightly larger and slightly more expensive model.
- The base engine, driving the front wheels, is the 1.2 TCe . This turbocharged three-cylinder, paired with mild hybrid technology and a six-speed manual transmission, produces 138 hp (101 kW). The other version is equipped with the Hybrid 155 system. This combines a 1.8-liter gasoline engine with a 49 hp electric motor integrated into the automatic transmission. This system delivers a total output of 155 hp (114 kW).
- With Dacia's factories in Morocco (Tangier) and Romania (Pitesti) operating at full capacity, the Striker will be produced at the Renault plant in Turkey (Bursa), at a rate of 50,000 units per year according to Inovev. This is the first time a Dacia model has been assembled in Turkey.
- While the Jogger is priced at 28,000 euros in its F-HEV 1.8 version and the Bigster F-HEV 1.8 is priced at 30,000 euros, the Striker F-HEV 1.8 could become the most expensive model in the Dacia range.
Stellantis aims to double its production at Ellesmere Port by 2027
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Stellantis aims to double its production at Ellesmere Port by 2027
- A few years ago, the Stellantis group decided to concentrate production of its battery electric small vans (N1-1 segment: Citroën e- Berlingo, Peugeot e-Partner, Opel e-Combo, Fiat e- Doblo ) at its Ellesmere Port plant in the UK. Production volume for these models there reached 26,386 units in 2025, according to Inovev, including the electric Toyota ProAce City, which is based on Stellantis' N1-1 small vans. This volume represents significant progress compared to 2024 (+25.5%), which did not exceed 21,018 units.
- But the Franco-Italian-American carmaker wants to go further and has announced that it will add new models to this site starting in 2027. These will be mid-range (N1-2) and fully electric commercial vehicles, such as the Citroën e- Jumpy, Peugeot e-Expert, Opel e- Vivaro and Fiat e-Scudo, to which will be added the electric Toyota ProAce based on these models. Currently, these models are produced at the Hordain plant in northern France, alongside their internal combustion engine versions.
- Stellantis believes it can double the production volume of the Ellesmere Port plant thanks to the contribution of these new models, especially as the share of electric vehicles is expected to increase within this category in Europe.
- According to Inovev, between 15,000 and 20,000 of these Stellantis and Toyota N1-2 electric models were sold in 2025, corresponding to a production volume of between 15,000 and 20,000 units last year. In 2026, sales of these models are expected to reach between 20,000 and 25,000 units. In 2027, sales could exceed 25,000 units, meaning the Ellesmere Port plant will indeed double its current production volume to over 50,000 vehicles per year, including the electric N1-1 and N1-2 vehicles.
Mercedes wants to share its South African factory with a competitor
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Mercedes wants to share its South African factory with a competitor
- We recently saw that the Chinese carmaker Chery acquired Nissan's Rosslyn plant in South Africa. The Japanese carmaker wanted to reduce its global production capacity, deeming the plant too large relative to its actual sales. Furthermore, the Nissan plant in South Africa allows Chery to extend its international expansion across the continent.
- Today, we learn that another carmaker based in South Africa, namely Mercedes, which has the East London factory in that country, would like to partially withdraw from its activity in this factory.
- It is worth remembering that the Mercedes factory in East London has been producing C-Class sedans for about thirty years, for local markets but especially for large-scale export, particularly to North and South America.
- However, new tariffs imposed by the United States on imported cars have caused a sharp drop in Mercedes C-Class sales in the country (the US ceased production of the C-Class domestically in 2020). Consequently, while the East London plant has a production capacity of 100,000 cars per year, actual production of the model fell from 95,000 units in 2023 to 80,000 in 2024 and 70,000 in 2025. And forecasts for 2026 anticipate a further decline.
- Mercedes is therefore looking for a carmaker that could help it make its factory profitable by taking over half of the factory's capacity, rather than the entirety. This isn't a very attractive solution, since the carmaker accepting this proposal would have to share the factory with Mercedes. However, a Chinese carmaker might be drawn to this offer.
Chinese carmakers held 8% of the European market in the first quarter of 2026
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Chinese carmakers held 8% of the European market in the first quarter of 2026
- Last year, Chinese automakers held 6.0% of the European market (30 countries = EU + UK + Switzerland + Norway) for passenger cars, excluding Volvo, which is a Swedish subsidiary of the Chinese Geely group. Including Volvo, they held 8.5% of the European market.
- Chinese carmakers have been steadily increasing their sales in Europe since 2020, with their models appealing to a growing number of European customers, especially since their prices are often lower than those of their non-Chinese competitors. Their market share in Europe rose from 0.3% in 2020 to 0.7% in 2021, 1.7% in 2022, 2.8% in 2023, 3.1% in 2024, and 6.0% in 2025.
- In 2026, Chinese carmakers further increased their market share in Europe, reaching 7.3% in January, 8.1% in February, and 8.3% in March (excluding Volvo). This trend is expected to continue and accelerate in the coming months. The 10% mark will likely be reached or even surpassed in 2027 or 2028.
- Over the first three months of 2026, this market share reaches 8.0% in Europe (compared to 6.0% in 2025).
- A projection for 2030 suggests that Chinese carmakers could represent between 12% and 15% of the European passenger car market (excluding Volvo), and 11% if light commercial vehicles are included.
- This market share of 11% by 2030 would therefore be twice that recorded in 2025, since Chinese carmakers represented only 5.4% of the European market for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles excluding Volvo last year.
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