Volkswagen is launching the second generation of the Crafter
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Volkswagen is launching the second generation of the Crafter
- Above the light utility Caddy (segment N1-1) and Transporter (N1-2 segment), recently restyled, Volkswagen traditionally had a larger model (segment N1-3) aiming to compete with the Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter, Fiat Ducato, Renault Master and Iveco Daily. This is the Crafter (formerly LT).
- The first generation Crafter, launched in 2006 (successor of LT launched in 1996), was based on the Mercedes Sprinter (rebadged version of the Sprinter). Consequently, the Crafter has been produced so far in the factory Mercedes in Düsseldorf, alongside the Sprinter.
- The new generation of the Crafter launched in 2016 no longer shares any components with the Mercedes Sprinter and has been designed in partnership with MAN, subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group (which could launch its own version). Consequently, the new Crafter is manufactured in a new plant in Wrzesnia, Poland, about fifty kilometers from the Volkswagen plant in Poznan where the Caddy is manufactured.
- Like its competitors, the new Crafter will be available in three lengths and three heights. Similarly, it will be available in FWD (Front Wheel drive), RWD (Rear Wheel Drive) and 4WD (4 Wheel Drive). Its engine will be a diesel 2.0 TDI available in four powers (102ch, 122ch, and 177ch 140hp). Inovev expects 40,000 annual sales of the new Crafter, between 2016 and 2026.
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Mercedes could overpass BMW on the Chinese market in 2017
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Mercedes could overpass BMW on the Chinese market in 2017
- The three German Premium carmakers started their production in China at different times. Audi arrived first in 1992, then came BMW in 2003 and finally Mercedes in 2005.
- Audi has managed for ten years to be the only representative of the European Premium range. It allied with the Chinese car group FAW. At this time the FAW group struggled to sell his luxury cars, and identified an opportunity to produce Audi vehicles under license. Gradually, the Chinese government officials gave up the FAW Hongqiand replaced it with the Audi 100. Then the Chinese well-off customers (including entrepreneurs) started to buy Audi cars.
- Sales of Audi increased from 5,000 annual units in the years 90 to 100 000 in 2008, 200,000 in 2010, 400,000 in 2012 and about 600 000 in 2014.
- Since 2011, however, Audi had to face a rising competition from BMW and Mercedes.
In 2016, Audi will sell 570,000 vehicles, while BMW and Mercedes will sell respectively 450 000 and 440 000 units. Compared with 2014, Audi sales fell down by 1.5%, those of BMW by 1.5% as well. Conversely sales of Mercedes (the last to arrive on the market) increased by 56% (taking advantage of a more recent range).
In 2016, Audi will sell 570,000 vehicles, while BMW and Mercedes will sell respectively 450 000 and 440 000 units. Compared with 2014, Audi sales fell down by 1.5%, those of BMW by 1.5% as well. Conversely sales of Mercedes (the last to arrive on the market) increased by 56% (taking advantage of a more recent range).
- At this pace and based on the upcoming launches planned, Mercedes could catch up BMW in 2017 and Audi in 2019, and become the first premium carmaker in China in terms of sales.
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GM plans to close its two British plants by 2020
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GM plans to close its two British plants by 2020
- The GM group owns currently two car plants in Great Britain: Ellesmere Port, which produces the Astra, and Luton, which produces the Vivaro utility.
- Ellesmere Port (-51% between 2005 and 2015) and Luton (33% between 2005 and 2015) plants declined sharply over the past decade.
- In 2015, each of these plants operates currently at 50-60% capacity:
o Ellesmere Port plant at 46% of its 200,000 units per year capacity.
o Luton plant at 61% of its 100,000 units per year capacity.
- GM operates other plants in Europe: Eisenach (Germany), which uses 83% of its 200,000 units capacity, Gliwice (Poland), which uses 85% of its 200,000 units capacity, Russelsheim (Germany), which uses 65% of its 200,000 units capacity and Zaragoza (Spain) which uses 76% of its 470 000 units capacity.
- In short, except for Zaragoza, GM has small production units, which could be optimisedto make larger capacity plants (between 300 000 and 400 000 units), at the image of the Spanish plant.
- The Brexit could be the opportunity for the manufacturer to streamline its European production.
GM would consider to close by 2020 Lutonand Ellesmere Port plants, with a transfer of the production of Astra to its Polish plant in Gliwice and that of Vivaro to the Renault factory in Sandouville.
GM would consider to close by 2020 Lutonand Ellesmere Port plants, with a transfer of the production of Astra to its Polish plant in Gliwice and that of Vivaro to the Renault factory in Sandouville.
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Read more... GM plans to close its two British plants by 2020
Honda will build a third assembly plant in China with DFM
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Honda will build a third assembly plant in China with DFM
- Honda will revive with Dongfeng (DFM) its project to build a third Chinese car assembly plant.
The project was first announced in July 2013 but frozen in December 2014 due to forecasted sales in the Chinese market downgraded. But since this freezing time the Joint Venture Dongfeng-Honda launched new models and consequently sales rose significantly (+ 24% in 2015 and + 25% in first half 2016).
The project was first announced in July 2013 but frozen in December 2014 due to forecasted sales in the Chinese market downgraded. But since this freezing time the Joint Venture Dongfeng-Honda launched new models and consequently sales rose significantly (+ 24% in 2015 and + 25% in first half 2016).
- The new plant will be built in 2017 alongside the first two ones, in Wuhan (Hebei Province) and will start its activity in 2018.
- It will have a production capacity of 240 000 vehicles per year, which will be added to the 480,000 units produced in 2015 in the other two factories in Wuhan. These two plants currently produce the CRV, Civic, Stream, Spirior, Elysion, Jade.
- It is to be noted that Honda has another partnership, this time with the Chinese manufacturer GAC, which has three factories of 240 000 vehicles capacity each. These three plants located in Guangzhou, currently produce the Accord, Odyssey, City, Jazz, and Crosstour Crider (560,000 vehicles produced in 2015).
- In total, therefore, Honda capacity in China is 1.2 million vehicles in China in 2016 and will reach 1.44 million units in 2018. Honda for the first time sold more than one million vehicles in China in 2016.
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Read more... Honda will build a third assembly plant in China with DFM
Opel has become one of the carmakers which produces the most out of its origin country
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Opel has become one of the carmakers which produces the most out of its origin country
- European production of Opel decreased significantly since the year 2000: from 1.8 million vehicles in 2000 down to 1.2 million in 2016 (-33%). It also became progressively one of the European carmakers which produces the most outside of its starting country.
Indeed, in 2016, 75% of Opel sold in Europe will be produced outside Germany, the country of origin of the brand purchased by GM in 1929, against 65% in 2010 and 60% in 2001. Renault group (Renault-Dacia-Samsung) records 68 % of European production outside France in 2016 (Renault-Nissan group 76%, similar to Opel) and PSA 53% . The Volkswagen Group records 32% of its European production outside Germany, the Daimler group 30% and the BMW group 22%.
Indeed, in 2016, 75% of Opel sold in Europe will be produced outside Germany, the country of origin of the brand purchased by GM in 1929, against 65% in 2010 and 60% in 2001. Renault group (Renault-Dacia-Samsung) records 68 % of European production outside France in 2016 (Renault-Nissan group 76%, similar to Opel) and PSA 53% . The Volkswagen Group records 32% of its European production outside Germany, the Daimler group 30% and the BMW group 22%.
- Currently, Opel produces mainly in Spain (31% of production), but the carmaker produces also in Poland (15% of production), Great Britain (15% of production) and even in Korea (10% of its production). All Opel Karl and a significant part of the Opel Mokka are produced in Korea (87 000 units in 2015 versus 84 000 units in Spain). Contrary to what had been announced, the Opel Mokka sold in Europe are not all produced in Spain, since half still comes from Korea.
- In addition, even if the Opel plants in Belgium, Portugal and Russia have closed in recent years, the rate of production achieved outside of Germany has not diminished. The closure of the German plant in Bochum has made increase the outside Germany production.
The future Opel product plan does not plan a revival of production in Germany (the upcoming compact SUV brand will thus manufactured in France on the PSA Sochaux).
The future Opel product plan does not plan a revival of production in Germany (the upcoming compact SUV brand will thus manufactured in France on the PSA Sochaux).
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Read more... Opel has become one of the carmakers which produces the most out of its origin country
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