- Automotive analyses often show production by country (where the plants are established) or by manufacturers. However, an important data isn't highlighted enough: which countries control these carmakers. Inovev incorporates this notion in its production databases. Thus the Renault-Nissan group is considered under the control of France and the Fiat-Chrysler group under the control of Italy.

- While analysis of global automobile production by producing countries shows that China is in first position ahead of the USA, Japan, Germany, Korea, India and Brazil, the analysis of control countries shows a very different vision of the global automotive industry and forces.

- In which case in 2013 Japan is the country that controls the most production in the world. The overall trend shows that global production is controlled by 8 countries. Developed countries and historical automobile players (Japan, USA, Germany ..) control much more production outside their own country. The developing countries (China, India) control very little of world production but still have automakers. Finally, the majority of other countries do not control any manufacturers but are major production sites (Brazil, Mexico, Thailand ...).

- For some countries, the contrast is striking. Thus, France, the thirteenth largest producer is the fourth global player through the control of manufacturers, thanks to Renault-Nissan and PSA.

  

- Subaru (a subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries, former Nakajima) is one of the smallest Japanese carmakers, along with Isuzu. It sold 800 000 vehicles in 2013, against 750 000 in 2012 and 580 000 in 2011. The manufacturer has been in full growth for three years (+38%), after an extended period stagnating (2000-2008).

- Its production is concentrated in Japan (640 000 vehicles in 2013), in two large plants in Ota and Yajima Main. The only external plant is located in Lafayette, Indiana, in the USA (170 000 vehicles in 2013).

- Its sales are mainly condensed in the United States (425 000 vehicles in 2013), its main market where it operates since 1990, and in Japan (180 000 vehicles in 2013). These two markets represented over 600 000 units in 2013 in other words 75% of its global sales.

- Formerly linked to the American group General Motors that acquired a small stake in Subaru, it is now linked to the Japanese company Toyota that bought out GM’s shares. Subaru remains a small carmaker worldwide. Except for the Trezia (renamed version of the Toyota Yaris) and BRZ (renamed Toyota GT86 coupe), Subaru only sells models from segment C (Impreza and XV) and segment D (Forester, Legacy and Tribeca) with conventional bodyworks (sedan / estate) or SUV.

  

- The Renault plant in Tangier (Morocco), which began operations in February 2012, reached in the first quarter of 2014  50% of the production volume of the Pitesti plant (Romania). The Tangier plant produced 45 000 vehicles in 2012, 100 000 in 2013 and 44 000 in the first quarter of 2014. The Pitesti plant produced 89 000 vehicles in the first quarter of 2014.

- According to Inovev, the Renault plant in Tangier is expected to double its production volume in 2014 compared to 2013, to 190 000 vehicles. Its capacity should be increased by 50% in 2014, from 170 000 vehicles a year to 250 000. By 2018, the Moroccan site should produce up to 250 000 units while the Pitesti plant will produce 355 000 units.

- The most striking result of this evolution is the gradual transfer of the Dacia Sandero from the Pitesti plant to the plant in Tangier and this since September 2013. The Sandero is currently exported throughout Europe.

- The Romanian Dacia plant having reached saturation with the production of the Logan and the Duster (265 000 planned in 2014, against 223 000 in 2013, excluding CKD), the transfer of the Sandero to Morocco is an attractive option given the currently underutilized capacity of the Tangier plant.

- On the graph below, we can clearly see how in several months the pace of the transfer of the Sandero from Pitesti to Tangier, leaving extra capacity so that the Pitesti plant can focus on the Logan and Duster.