2013 Chinese production by province or autonomous region
 
Inovev has recently compiled vehicle production  data (PC + LCV) in China for 2013 (the year 2014 is being finalized), not only by make and by model but also by plant. We were able to cross-reference the data by province (or autonomous regions) and draw up relevant analyses.

Thus, the first observation is that in 2013 the autonomous city of Chongqing is the largest producing region of passenger cars found in China (1.86 million units), followed by Shanghai (1.85 million units) and the Hubei Province (1.6 million units).

In Chongqing, Ford is the first manufacturer in the city with more than a third of local production (680 000 units), spread over three sites (with a total capacity of 950 000 units). At Shanghai, the VW group is the largest producer in the city, with three plants manufacture 1.08 million units (with an estimated 900 000 units production capacity). Finally, in the Hubei region it is the Nissan Xiangyang plant which produces the most vehicles (with 370 000 units), followed by the Honda plant in Wuhan (325 842 units).

Hyundai is the manufacturer which has the largest production capacity held on one site, namely Beijing (with 1 million units), ahead of VW in Shanghai (900 000 units) and Chery in Wuhu (900 000 units but used only at 50% of its capacity).

Finally, among joint-ventures, VW is the group that has the largest number of production sites (9 sites) ahead of GM (7 sites) and Toyota (5 sites). Among the 100% Chinese manufacturers, Geely has the largest number of sites (7 sites), ahead of Changan (6 sites) and Dongfeng (5 sites).

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The production capacity of Renault’s Douai and Sandouville plants aren't expected to increase before 2019
 
The Renault Sandouville plant currently has a capacity of 150 000 vehicles per year and an actual production of 26 000 units in 2013. This capacity was halved after 2009. Renault's Douai plant has a capacity of 250 000 vehicles per year and an actual production of 120 000 units in 2013. This capacity was halved after 2009.

Both plants are running on average at only 40% of their capacity, so it is necessary for the group to optimise the use of its facilities. Renault had the choice between: 1 / Closing one of two plants and transferring the production from one plant to the other, or 2 / Keep both plants by increasing production levels by adding new models.

The second scenario was the one kept by the group: 1 / transfer of the new generations of the Laguna and Espace from Sandouville to Douai. With the arrival of these two new models, plus the future Scenic (2016), the production of the Douai plant would ultimately reach a volume of 200 000 units. The plant will therefore reach 80% of its capacity. 2 / Transfer of Renault and Nissan LCV to Sandouville. Renault Trafic (75 000 units planned) and Nissan NV300 (8 000 units planned) have been transferred (since June) from Barcelona and Luton to  Sandouville. 3 / Add a Fiat LCV model (Scudo) to Sandouville by 2016 (30 000 units planned). Production in Sandouville should rise from 26 000 units found in 2014 to 113 000 units in the long term. Thus Sandouville would reach 75% capacity.

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Fiat-Chrysler unveiled the Fiat 500X
 

The Fiat-Chrysler Group unveiled the new Fiat 500X. This model is based on the platform of the Fiat 500, 500L, 500L Living and Jeep Renegade manufactured with an unconventional body type with four-doors and measuring 4.25 m long.


This new model, that falls within the category of B-segment SUVs will compete with the Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008, Nissan Juke and Opel Mokka which are very popular in the European market.


In the first 8 months of 2014, the Captur has thus sold at 103 197 units, the Peugeot 2008 at 88 051 units, the Nissan Juke at 58 052 units and the Opel Mokka at 73 547 units. Ford has just started marketing the Ecosport (5 000 units) and Fiat will begin that of the 500X early next year.


The carmaker expects to reach a production volume of 130 000 units produced in the Italian plant of Melfi (with 80 000 annual sales in Europe and 50 000 annual sales in North America). Inovev forecasts a production of 100 000 units in a full year.


This plant also produces the Jeep version of the Fiat 500X, called the Renegade, which  the manufacturer intends to sell at 150 000 units annually (50 000 sales in Europe and 100 000 in North America). Inovev forecasts 100 000 units produced for this model.


The new Fiat 500X is equipped with the same engines as the Jeep Renegade, namely the 1400 and 1600 MultiAir petrol and the 1600 and 2000 diesel MultiJet Fiat engines. The powers range from 110 hp to 170 hp.


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Sales by brand in the US (PC + LCV) in 2014
 
In a US market up 5.5% over the first nine months of 2014 compared to the first nine months of 2013, Ford is the only mainstream brand in decline (-1%), while Jeep experienced the strongest growth (+45%). Ford has indeed renewed its Ford F-150, which is expected to reach a comfortable annual sales volume in 2015. Jeep is still benefiting from the success of the new Cherokee.

As for Nissan, the renewal of the Rogue SUV enabled the Japanese brand to grow by almost 15%. Honda, the fourth best-selling brand in the US experienced a slow down in growth over the nine months of 2014 and recorded sluggish sales. That can be explained by the marketing strategy (such as the length of the loans granted) implemented by the Japanese brand which differs slightly from other brands. The late renewal of certain models may also explain the stagnating sales.

Apart from Jeep, brand ranking in the United States remains relatively stable from one year to the next. All of the top 20 carmakers in the United States (see graph below) account for 95% of registrations in 2014, as in 2013.

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Suzuki unveiled the new Ciaz sedan
 
Suzuki unveiled the Ciaz sedan that replaces both the SX4 sedan (sold only in India) and the Kizashi (sold worldwide). Indeed, the Ciaz is 4.55 m long (thus its length is between a SX4 sedan measuring 4.49 m and a Kizashi that measures 4.65 m long), 1.73 m wide (like the SX4) and 1.48 m high (like the Kizashi).

The Ciaz sedan will be available on the market with a 1.4 litter petrol engine and a 1.3l Fiat diesel engine that powers the European versions of the Fiat 500, Panda, Punto, Fiorino, etc ...

This new model will initially be produced in India (in Manesar) and marketed locally. It will compete with the all new Honda  City (59 000 units in the first 9 months of 2014), the Hyundai Verna (28 000 units), the VW Vento (9 500 units), the Skoda Rapid (8 700 units), Toyota Corolla (3 800 units) or Fiat Linea (2 428 units). In India, in 2014, the market for trunk sedans from segment C accounted for nearly 9% of the passenger car market.

The Ciaz sedan could then be marketed in other parts of the world, particularly in Europe where it could replace the Kizashi that was not as successful as expected (250 Forecasted Sales in 2014 against 500 in 2013 and 1 000 in 2012).

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