Audi unveils the new generation of SUV Q5
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Audi unveils the new generation of SUV Q5
- Audi unveiled at the 2016 Paris Motorshow the new generation of its mid-range (D-segment) SUV Q5.
- In the range of Audi SUV, this model is positioned between Q3 (C-segment) and Q7 (E-segment). It competes with BMW X3, Mercedes GLC and Volvo XC60.
- In terms of worldwide sales, it remains since 2009 the most sold SUV of Audi. 150,000 Q5 will be sold in 2016, against 120 000 Q3 and 100 000 Q7.
- In the first half 2016, it is at the fourth position in terms of sales, behind its competitors BMW X3, Mercedes GLC and Volvo XC60, which may be the consequence of a relatively long life cycle (the Audi Q5 first generation was launched in 2008).
- The new generation of the Q5 shares the Audi midrange MLB platform with the A4 and A5 launched recently. A reduction of vehicle weight of about 90kg compared to the older generation is announced by Audi.
- The new Q5 will be produced in the new Audi Mexico plant (San José Chiapa), and not any more in the German Ingolstadt plant as the former model. This Mexico plant will supply North America and Europe, while Asia will be supplied by the Chinese plant in Changchun (FAW-Audi). The annual production of the new Q5 is set at 150 000 units in Mexico and 125 000 units per year in China.
- The engines, taken from former Q5 (2.0 TFSI petrol and 2.0 TDI diesel engines) see their power increased.
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Land Rover unveils the new generation of Discovery SUV
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Land Rover unveils the new generation of Discovery SUV
- Land Rover unveiled the new generation of the SUV Discovery at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. The new Discovery (which uses the D7 platform announced as enabling to lighten the vehicle weight by 480kg in comparison of the previous model) is positioned versus the Discovery Sport the same way as the Range is positioned versus the Range Sport. These four models are the backbone of the Land Rover range, which is completed in the entry level by the Evoque, before the arrival of the future Defender planned for 2018.
- Sold from the first quarter 2017, the new Discovery will be manufactured at the Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria, unlike the current model manufactured in Solihull, England. This change of Discovery production location is due to the lack of production capacity in Solihull, which currently manufactures the Range, Range Sport and Discovery, and the Jaguar XE and F-Pace.
The production volume of the plant in 2016 will approach 300 000 units while its capacity does not exceed 200 000 units per year. The Jaguar XE, also produced in Solihull, will be the first model to be transferred in January 2017 to another plant (Castle Bromwich). The Discovery will be the second model to be transferred. The plant in Solihull will then return to its normal production rate (200 000 vehicles per year).
The production volume of the plant in 2016 will approach 300 000 units while its capacity does not exceed 200 000 units per year. The Jaguar XE, also produced in Solihull, will be the first model to be transferred in January 2017 to another plant (Castle Bromwich). The Discovery will be the second model to be transferred. The plant in Solihull will then return to its normal production rate (200 000 vehicles per year).
- The new Discovery is equipped with 2.0l 180hp 2.0, 3.0l 211 hp 3.0l 258hp diesel engines and a 3.0l 340hp petrol engine, most taken from the former model. Inovev expects 60,000 sales annually Discovery.
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Read more... Land Rover unveils the new generation of Discovery SUV
The US HEV (Non-plug-in hybrid vehicles) market in 2016
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The US HEV (Non-plug-in hybrid vehicles) market in 2016
- While the US market for electric vehicles (BEV –Battery Electric Vehicles- and PHEV -Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles-) has significantly progressed since 2012, the US HEV (non-plug-in hybrids) market has evolved in the opposite way, as it has declined steadily since 2013 from 500 000 units this year down to just over 300,000 in 2016.
- Two reasons are at the basis of this decline:
1. The transfer of part of the customers of HEV models to electric (BEV and PHEV) models, whose offer also increases faster than that of HEVs.
2. The return of part of the customers of HEV models to thermal (gasoline or diesel) models.
- The US HEV 2016 market remains however more than twice that of the electric (BEV and PHEV) vehicles, slightly more than 300,000 sales against sales 128,000 respectively. In 2013, the proportion was 5: 1.
- Toyota dominates the US hybrid market, with 118,500 sales (103,500 Toyota and 15,000 Lexus) in the first half 2016, a total of 161,500 units (representing a market share of 73.5%).
- Toyota positions seven models in the Top 10, the Prius alone accounting for 67,500 units (under the two bodies: sedan Prius and station wagon Prius Plus), i.e. 42% of the total hybrid market in the US.
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Read more... The US HEV (Non-plug-in hybrid vehicles) market in 2016
Nissan unveils the new generation of the Micra sedan (B-segment)
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Nissan unveils the new generation of the Micra sedan (B-segment)
- Nissan unveiled at the 2016 Paris Motor Show the new generation of the Micra (B-segment) which will be sold in Europe.
- The new Micra uses the B platform of the Renault Clio IV, and its engines (3-cylinder 0.9 liter turbo petrol engine and 4-cylinder 1.5l diesel engine). It will be produced alongside the Clio in the French Flins plant.
- It will thus be the second Japanese sedan to be produced in France, after the Toyota Yaris (arrived in 1999).
Renault expects to produce 100,000 units per year at the site of Flins, which corresponds to Inovev forecasts.
This will boost production at the Flins site, but also the production in France as a whole. It is to note that the Renault management said two years ago that the Renault-Nissan group would produce 700,000 vehicles in 2017 against 600 000 in 2015, thanks to this new model previously manufactured in India.
Renault expects to produce 100,000 units per year at the site of Flins, which corresponds to Inovev forecasts.
This will boost production at the Flins site, but also the production in France as a whole. It is to note that the Renault management said two years ago that the Renault-Nissan group would produce 700,000 vehicles in 2017 against 600 000 in 2015, thanks to this new model previously manufactured in India.
- The old Micra (born in 2010) should, however, continue to be produced in India for local demand.
- In Europe, 65,000 Micra were sold in 2015, such a level of sales positioning this car in the ninth position of B-segment sedans of generalist carmakers. It will take therefore a big effort for Nissan to reach the threshold of 100,000 sales in 2017, especially as the competition will be renewed next year, with the new Citroën C3, Ford Fiesta, VW Polo, Toyota Yaris and Fiat Punto.
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Read more... Nissan unveils the new generation of the Micra sedan (B-segment)
The new product plan of Opel (2017-2021)
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The new product plan of Opel (2017-2021)
- The Opel brand (including the British subsidiary Vauxhall) lost a lot of influence since the early 2000s.
- From 1.7 million vehicles produced in 2005, the volume produced by the mark fell down to 1.1 million in 2013.
However volume rose slightly since then due to the success of the Mokka (B-segment SUV) and 2016 will probably end on a production of about 1.2 million vehicles.
However volume rose slightly since then due to the success of the Mokka (B-segment SUV) and 2016 will probably end on a production of about 1.2 million vehicles.
- Opel’s LUV (Light Utility Vehicles) production is now completely outsourced: The Combo is a rebadged Fiat Doblo, the Vivaro is a rebadged Renault Trafic and Movano is a rebadged Renault Master. Next Combo (2018) will be based on a PSA model.
- The schedule of future Opel models over 2017-2021 is as follows:
- 2017: New Insignia (D-segment sedan), new Meriva (B-segment SUV).
- 2018: New C-segment SUV (based on the new Peugeot 3008 platform), new Adam (A-segment), new Combo (LUV based on PSA platform).
- 2019: New Cascada (C-segment convertible), new Corsa (B-segment sedan), new Zafira (C-segment MPV), new D-segment SUV (based on the new Peugeot 3008 platform).
- 2020: New Mokka (B-segment SUV).
- 2021: New Astra (C-segment sedan).
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