Fiat to launch the new generation of the 124 spider based on the Mazda MX5
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Fiat to launch the new generation of the 124 spider based on the Mazda MX5
- Fiat will launch a new generation of the 124 Spider in Europe and the USA in May 2016. Ths model, which will be based on the Mazda MX5, will be manufactured by Mazda at its Hiroshima factory. It marks the 50th anniversary of the model launched by Fiat in May 1966.
- This first generation was relatively successful up until being retired in 1985, with 200 000 produced in total (an average of 10 000 vehicles a year over 20 years), of which 170 000 were sold in North America and 30 000 in Europe. Fiat is hoping to repeat this success by launching a new generation in 2016, and is counting on strong sales in North America, as happened with the first generation.
- Fiat has once again become an important player in this region, thanks to its purchase of the Chrysler group during the financial crisis of 2009-2010 and the debut on the American market of different versions of the Fiat 500, which has seen considerable success in this market (200 000 sales in five years).
- The fact that the new generation of the 124 Spider is based on the Mazda MX5 is positive not only in economic terms, but also in terms of sales, as the MX5 has been the best-selling convertible in the world since 1989 (over 1 million vehicles sold in total), and also the best-selling in North America (800 000 vehicles sold since 1989, an average 30 000 per year over 26 years).
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China has become the biggest market for electric and rechargeable hybrid vehicles
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China has become the biggest market for electric and rechargeable hybrid vehicles
- Combined sales of electric and rechargeable hybrid vehicles since 2010 total 400 000 vehicles in the USA, 400 000 vehicles in Europe, 300 000 in China and 100 000 in Japan.
- Yet, in 2015, China became the biggest global market for electric and rechargeable hybrid vehicles (207 382 sales), ahead of Europe (189 230 sales) and the USA (115 262 sales). The previous year, the USA was the biggest global market, and China was the third biggest. But China saw a quadrupling of sales between 2014 and 2015.
- Several factors have contributed to the growth of electric and rechargeable hybrid vehicles in China. Firstly, the government has been calling on manufacturers for many years to launch these types of vehicles, mainly to combat the problem of pollution in large Chinese cities, but also to encourage Chinese carmakers to become leaders and specialists in electric vehicles.
- Groups such as BYD, Zotye, Chery or Kandi already have considerable expertise in this area, so much so that BYD (which has 5 different electric models in its range) manufactures electric buses on US soil. It is currently the only vehicle manufacturer with a production plant in the USA. This site currently produces 300 electric buses a year and its capacity is set to grow to 1000 buses a year.
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Changan became the 15th biggest carmaker in the world in 2015
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Changan became the 15th biggest carmaker in the world in 2015
- Chinese manufacturer Changan became the 15the biggest carmaker in the world 2015, behind Mazda and Mitsubishi. This ranking does not include Changan's JVs with foreign manufacturers (such as Ford, Mazda or PSA) or its JVs with other Chinese manufacturers (such as SAIC, FAW, Dongfeng or BAIC), which have themselves signed partnerships with foreign manufacturers.
- Changan manufactured 1.11 million passenger cars under its own brand in 2015, plus 1.09 million passenger vehicles under the brands of Ford (0.66 million), Mazda (0.23 million), Suzuki (0.18 million) and DS (0.02 million) as part of JVs.
- Changan currently has 16 models of passenger vehicle under its own brand, including 5 sedans, 5 minivans (mini MPVs), 3 MPVs and 3 SUVs. Changan also manufactured 0.14 million utility vehicles in 2015.
- Most of its production takes place in China, it makes practically no exports to foreign countries, and its models cater well to Chinese demand, but not to demand in other markets. Its attempts to start production in Iran, Russia and Africa have not been successful. South East Asian countries (Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia) appear to be most within the grasp of this manufacturer seeking to establish plants abroad.
- Changan has 9 industrial centres in China, situated in Chongqing, Heilongjiang, Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Hebei, Anhui, Shanxi, Guangdong and Shandong, with a total of 21 assembly plants, allowing for an annual production capacity of 2 200 000 vehicles (JV and non JV). Today the capacity utilisation rate of its factories is close to 100%.
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The US diesel market is in freefall in 2016
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The US diesel market is in freefall in 2016
- The US market for diesel vehicles shrank by 6.3% in 2015 to 154 776 vehicles (compared to 165 236 in 2014), but it fell by 50% in the first trimester of 2016, to just 19 071 vehicles (compared to 38 694 in the first trimester of 2015).
- The reason for this dramatic fall was the Volkswagen group's suspension of its sales of diesel vehicles (Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche brands), a consequence of the tampering of diesel engines by the German manufacturer.
- In 2015, the Volkswagen group held 42% of the diesel market in the USA (even as much as 56% in 2014). This share fell to 0% for the start of 2016. BMW and Mercedes continue to sell diesel vehicles in the US market, albeit in smaller numbers.
- The best selling diesel models in the USA in the first quarter of 2016 were therefore made by manufacturers other than Volkswagen : Dodge Ram (11 999 vehicles), Chevrolet Colorado (1 089 vehicles), Range Rover Sport (988 vehicles), Jeep Grand Cherokee (941 vehicles), Range Rover (906 vehicles) and GMC Canyon (519 vehicles). These were mostly SUVs and pickup trucks.
- The increase in the share of diesel vehicles in the US market which had been observed over the last few years has been heavily compromised by the Volkswagen affair, which has damaged the diesel market as a whole. This share, which had surpassed the 1% barrier in 2014, fell to 0.89% in 2015, and then to 0.47% in the first quarter of 2016.
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What will change under the new plan presented by PSA ?
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What will change under the new plan presented by PSA ?
- The PSA Peugeot-Citroën Group, which has officially become the PSA Group, has presented the outlines of its new strategic plan for the next five years The group has committed to launching 34 new models globally between now and 2021 (26 passenger vehicles and 8 utility vehicles), which could mean replacing its current models or adding to its existing range. We note that the current PSA range already includes 34 models (see table below).
- PSA has announced that of these 34 new launches, 4 are electric cars and 7 are rechargeable hybrid vehicles with petrol engines. The manufacturer will also add a medium-sized pickup truck to its range, as Renault did recently. PSA also seeks to reinforce its position in the SUV segment, which is growing rapidly around the world.
- Concerning markets, PSA has confirmed its industrial projects in Iran (Tehran) and Morocco (Kenitra) and is looking at building plants in Algeria and India. A study for setting up a plant in the USA has been postponed.
- Future PSA models will be based on two specific platforms: platform CMP1 for segment A-B models and platform EMP2 for segment C-D-E models. The agreement with Fiat over small utility vehicles (Bipper, Nemo) will end in 2016. PSA is counting on a 15% growth in its sales between now and 2021. In 2015, the manufacturer sold 2.97 million vehicles, which means it would have to sell 3.5 million in 2021.
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