Renault will launch the successor to the Laguna in 2015

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Renault will launch the successor to the Laguna in 2015

- Renault is preparing the successor of the Laguna for the end of 2015, rather than the end of 2014. The year 2014 will be dedicated solely to the launches of the Twingo for the entry-range and the Espace for the upper-range of the brand.

- The Laguna is the only D segment model of the Renault brand. Its first generation was launched in 1994 in order to replace the Renault 21 salon cars:  the hatchback and the three box (sedan) as well as the estate version. The second generation was launched in 2001 and the third in 2007.

- In a general climate where the  sales of segment D sedans is declining in Europe for mainstream manufacturers, the Laguna suffered from the competition of MPVs and SUVs, from the Renault brand and from other brands.

- In 2013, global sales of Laguna have not exceeded 20 000 units, while they reached 100 000 units in 2007 and 200 000 in 2003. The future model, which will be 20 cm longer than the current version (ie 4.90 m like the Renault Latitude), could be a vehicle with three volumes and a hatch, which is halfway between segment D and segment E.

- For this sedan replacing both the Laguna and the Latitude, which would take neither the name of Laguna nor that of Latitude, Renault would use the CMF modular platform already used by the Nissan Qashqai and the future Espace. It will be equipped with petrol engines of 130 hp to 180 hp, and diesel engines ranging from 110 hp to 200 hp as well as a hybrid version.


14-13-4  

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The ASEAN countries will reach a market of 5 million vehicles in 2025

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The ASEAN countries will reach a market of 5 million vehicles in 2025

- Leading automobile markets in the ASEAN region such as Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam are expected to rise from 3.5 million vehicles (PCs + LCVs) in 2013 to 5 000 000 units in 2025, representing an increase of 43% in 12 years (3% per year over 12 years).


- Car registration reminder for 2013:

- Thailand: 1.33 million units (740 000 PC + 590 000 LCV)

- Indonesia: 1.22 million units (830 000 PC + 390 000 LCV)

- Malaysia: 656 000 units (570 000 PC + 86 000 LCV)

- Philippines: 212 000 units (52 000 PC + 160 000 LCV)

- Vietnam: 97 000 units (60 000 PC + 37 000 LCV)


- Japanese carmakers, that have dominated this area for many years with a market share of 80% could on one hand expect to earn up to 1.5 million additional sales by 2025, but on the other hand they could see their penetration cropped over the next few years with the arrival of competing manufacturers such as Volkswagen, Hyundai, Kia or Chinese brands.



14-13-3  

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The Opel plant in Rüsselsheim will manufacture two new models

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The Opel plant in Rüsselsheim will manufacture two new models

- In order to make greater use of its existing production abilities, the Opel plant in Rüsselsheim (Germany) will host the production of two additional vehicles, a Buick model intended to be exported to the United States. It will probably be the American version of the future Opel Insignia due to be launched in 2017.

- Indeed, the GM plant where is currently produced the Buick Regal (U.S. version of the Opel Insignia 2008-2017) is close to saturation (296 743 units manufactured in 2013 for a total capacity of 300 000) due to a U.S. market continuously increasing  since 2009, while GM was forced to close several plants at that same time. Regarding the Rüsselsheim plant, it is now operating at only  70% of its capacity.

- Opel did not specify what would be the second model to be assembled in the future Rüsselsheim plant, but it will not be the new generation Astra since the manufacturer has previously decided to transfer the production of the Astra from Rüsselsheim to Gliwice, this transfer  will be effective in 2015.

- We also know that the Rüsselsheim plant will produce the Zafira MPV (which was assembled in Bochum so far) from the end of 2014, and its future generation should be manufactured in the PSA plant of Sochaux (France). Manufacturing Buick vehicles should allow Opel to improve the rate of use of its German factories, which were used on average at 70% of their capacity in 2013.


14-13-2  

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Hyundai is going to build a fourth factory in China

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Hyundai is going to build a fourth factory in China

- The Korean carmaker Hyundai will set up a fourth assembly plant in China. The new site (located in Chongqing, in the centre of the country) will have a production capacity of 300 000 units per year.


- Hyundai today manufactures 1.05 million vehicles annually in China in partnership with the Chinese carmaker BAIC (Beijing) in three different plants located in the surroundings of Beijing (two in Shunyi and one in Yancheng).


- The Korean carmaker sold 1.03 million vehicles on the Chinese market last year (of which 966 000 units where made in China) and has set a target for 2014 of 1.08 million units (of which 1 million units made in China ). But its current production capacity is limited to 1 million vehicles a year.


- The construction of this fourth plant will therefore enable Hyundai to manufacture up to 1.3 million vehicles per year starting from 2015-2016. At that time, its forecast ranged from 1.13 million units to 1.18 million units per year.


- This means that if the growth rate of sales of Hyundai models in China is maintained, it will need a new factory around 2018. The last plant built by the Korean brand in China dates back to 2012. This plant has a capacity of 300 000 units per year.


- The most made Hyundai models in China in 2013 were the Elantra (413 513 units), Verna (202 403 units), iX35 (157 300 units) and Sonata (105 500 units).


14-13-1  

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Chinese carmakers strategies for electric vehicles

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Chinese carmakers strategies for electric vehicles

- Although electric vehicle sales are still marginal in China (less than 30,000 sales scheduled for 2014 ), the electric vehicle market in China becomes an important issue for carmakers in the country. The vow of the State to address the problems of pollution, especially in large Chinese cities, will be accompanied by incentives and the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

- In this high-potential market, Chinese vehicle manufacturers do not have to be left behind and position themselves in different ways.
Strategies, existing or to come, can be classified into several categories:
- Production of  electric vehicles under existing Chinese carmakers own brand, such as BYD E6 Crossover done with his or BAIC with E150.
- Creation of new brands 100% electric, in JV with non-Chinese manufacturers (Venucia , Zinoro , Huaqi ...)
- Buyouts with the target of acquiring technologies, such as the recent acquisition by Geely of Emerald, a British company specializing in converting thermal engine vehicles into electric motor vehicles.
- Acquisition of  a carmakers in difficulty(such as the recent acquisition of Fisker by Wanxiang) .
- Outside the domestic market, the partnership with a local producer as JAC with GreenTech Automotive USA.
- And eventually, production in China  under JV of an electric vehicle already marketed outside China as the way that VW could produce the e-Up! with a Chinese partner ( FAW ? SAIC ?).


14-12-9  

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