Scout models embody Volkswagen and Rivian agreement
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Scout models embody Volkswagen and Rivian agreement
- Since July 2021, the Volkswagen Group has owned 100% of the capital of the American heavy-duty carmaker Navistar, owner of the International brand. The German carmaker then integrated the International brand into the Traton subsidiary (Volkswagen's heavy-duty subsidiary that includes also Scania and MAN). By purchasing Navistar, Volkswagen became the de facto owner of the Scout brand, which was part of the American group and which produced an SUV from 1961 to 1980.
- In order to reuse the Scout name in North America today for a new range of battery electric vehicles, the Volkswagen Group has signed an agreement with the American carmaker of battery electric vehicles Rivian to develop a pickup and a mid-range SUV based on the current Rivian models.
- Thanks to this alliance, Rivian is guaranteed to release its R2 model in 2026. Before this agreement, the American carmaker of battery electric vehicles was in a difficult financial situation. The joint venture with Volkswagen is a game changer, both by providing direct funding to Rivian and by restoring trust in the company.
- The first two Rivian-derived Scout models have been unveiled, the Traveler SUV and the Terra pickup. They are based on a ladder frame like the Mercedes G-Class and Toyota Land Cruiser. They feature an all-electric engine that provides a range of 339 miles (543 km) or 500 miles (800 km) with an integrated internal combustion generator.
Global PHEV sales in 9 months 2024: BYD strongly dominant
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Global PHEV sales in 9 months 2024: BYD strongly dominant
- Out of a global total of 4,291,818 plug-in hybrid vehicles (passenger cars and light utility vehicles) sold in the first 9 months of 2024 (7.5% of the market for all engines combined), BYD remains the leading PHEV carmaker (1,475,196 units in the first 9 months of 2024), which alone represents 34% of global PHEV production. Today, BYD produces more PHEVs (53%) than BEVs (47%). The other carmakers are largely behind.
- Among the top 20 global PHEV carmakers, there are 11 Chinese carmakers, 4 European carmakers (if we consider Stellantis as a European carmaker), 2 American carmakers, 1 Japanese carmaker, 1 Korean carmaker and 1 Indian carmaker. The first 5 places in the Top 20 are occupied by Chinese carmakers: BYD, Geely, Li Auto, Seres and Changan. Initially of European origin, PHEV technology has gradually become a Chinese specialty. It helps green the Chinese car fleet, a wish of the local government, in the same way as BEVs, the volume of PHEVs sold in China now representing nearly three-quarters of the volume of BEVs sold in China.
- A model-by-model analysis shows that BYD places nine of its models in the global PHEV Top 20 over the first 9 months of 2024, of which the Song Plus SUV (called Seal U in Europe) remains the best-selling (284,702 units over the period, representing 7% of the global PHEV market). This model is ahead of the BYD Qin Plus (216,116 units), BYD Chaser 05 (195,828 units) and BYD Song Pro (185,401 units). In total, Chinese models occupy 19 places in the PHEV Top 20. The Volvo XC60 SUV is the only European model in this Top 20 (in 14th place), although it is a model from a brand belonging to a Chinese group (Geely).
BEV market share in Europe (30 countries) over 9 months 2024
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BEV market share in Europe (30 countries) over 9 months 2024
Global BEV sales over 9 months 2024: Tesla still the leader
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Global BEV sales over 9 months 2024: Tesla still the leader
- Out of a global total of 7,488,144 battery electric vehicles (passenger cars and light utility vehicles) sold in the first 9 months of 2024 (12.5% of the market for all engines combined), Tesla remains the leading BEV carmaker (1,469,383 units in the first 9 months of 2024), ahead of BYD (1,296,090 units). The significant difference between the two carmakers is that Tesla only produces battery electric vehicles while BYD also produces plug-in hybrids (PHEV), which allows it to overtake Tesla worldwide if we combine all types of engines. Tesla and BYD alone represent nearly 37% of global BEV sales, including 19.6% for Tesla and 17.3% for BYD.
- The other carmakers are largely left behind. In third place, the Geely group – thanks to a set of brands dedicated to the production of BEVs – sold 545,547 BEVs in the first 9 months of 2024 (7.3% of the global BEV market), ahead of the VW groups (491,243 units, 6.6%), GM (455,489 units, 6.1%), Hyundai-Kia (292,988 units, 3.9%) and BMW (271,447 units, 3.6%). Among the top 20 BEV carmakers, there are 10 Chinese carmakers, 5 European carmakers (if we consider Stellantis as a European carmaker), 3 American carmakers, 1 Japanese carmaker and 1 Korean carmaker.
- An analysis by model shows that the Tesla Model Y and Model 3 monopolize the first two places in the global BEV ranking. The Model Y reached 893,000 units in the first 9 months of 2024 (11.9% of the global BEV market) and the Model 3 nearly 510,000 units (6.8% of the market). The two Teslas are followed at a distance by three BYDs: the BYD Seagull (312,000 units), the BYD Atto3 (252,000 units) and the BYD Dolphin (168,000 units). Behind, the VW ID4 (122,000 units) supplants the Wuling Bingo (117,000 units) and the Wuling Mini EV (112,000 units) which resists. Among the 20 best-selling BEVs in the world, there are 15 Chinese models including 7 BYDs. The first European model is the VW ID4 (6th place) which is ahead of the VW ID3 (11th place) and Audi Q4 (20th place).
Should we create BEV quotas by country or by segment for 2035 in Europe?
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Should we create BEV quotas by country or by segment for 2035 in Europe?
- At the current rate of BEV sales development in Europe, the European Commission's objective of registering 100% of BEVs on the European continent by 2035 seems unachievable. In addition to the creation of a new A/A+ segment with a combustion engine, should we create quotas by country or quotas by segment?
- Quotas by country: Given that out of the 27 countries of the European Union, less than half (12 countries) have a BEV market share (for new vehicles registered) of more than 12% in 2024, the others (15 countries), located in Eastern and Southern Europe, have a BEV market share of less than 8% and which does not exceed 3 or 4% in some countries such as Italy, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia or Bulgaria. The 100% BEV target in 2035 will be even more difficult to achieve for these 15 countries. Would it not be more realistic to create, for example, a 100% BEV quota in 2035 for the 12 countries where the BEV rate is currently above 12% and a 50% BEV quota in 2035 for the 15 countries where the BEV rate is currently below 8%?
- Quotas by segment: Given that the market segments of new cars sold in the European Union have different and very low electrification rates in the lower segments, would it not be more realistic to create, for example, specific electrification quotas for each segment in 2035, for example 100% for D and E segment cars, 65% for C-segment cars, 50% for B-segment cars and 25% for A-segment cars? These quotas would make it possible to meet a demand for cheaper vehicles (thermal and lower segment) and low CO2 emissions in 2035.
- These proposals for quotas by country or segment are examples and are intended to lead to discussions and debates on the subject. The proposed percentages must naturally be studied in more depth to be as realistic as possible.
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