BMW launches the SUV X4 coupe (segment D)

BMW launches a coupe version of its X3 SUV (segment D), called the X4. This new four-door coupe SUV is manufactured in the United States like the X3, X5 and X6. It completes the Bavarian manufacturer's range that is already fairly well developed (X1, X3, X5, X6) and answers a global demand for SUVs, a segment that is still growing strongly. Its engines will be identical to those of the BMW X3.

The United States has played a pioneering role in this field, since the SUV segment developed very early in this country (in the 80s) and now represent a third of the market. Other countries followed the trend much later. The increase in the SUV market in Europe dates back to 2000 and they now represent 15% of the market. In other global markets, the development of SUV sales is currently on the rise in (more than 15% in China).

Premium manufacturers have quickly launched themselves on the SUV market, and now BMW, Audi and Mercedes together account for more than one million SUVs sold worldwide (2013 figures).

For BMW, the next step in the SUV segment will be the renewal of the X1 (segment C) at the end of 2015, followed by the coupe version called X2 by the beginning of 2016. The BMW SUV Range will thus be complete with the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6.

14-11-4  

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Nissan reviews its aspirations upwards in Russia

Nissan began early 2013 to assemble the Almera on the AvtoVAZ site of Togliatti in Russia. This model has been very successful on the Russian market since its introduction and has even risen among the ten best-selling models in recent months. The Japanese brand therefore reviewed its ambitions upwards and tables on a production of 50 000 Almera vehicles in the AvtoVAZ plant in 2014, against 20 000 in 2013.

Previously based on a Samsung SM3 from segment C, the latest generation of the Almera became a D segment sedan based on the B0 platform, the same platform as the Renault Logan/Sandero, this is the biggest version of the range (length: 4 65 meters), sold at a price of less than 9 000 euros in Russia.

With this model, Nissan became the best selling foreign brand in Russia in February 2014 , ahead of the Renault brand. Russia is already the largest European market for Nissan, with over 155 000 vehicles sold in 2013. Nissan has also became the Japanese brand that produces the most cars in Russia (68 000 units in 2013).

Over the next four years, Nissan expects to triple its sales in Russia (450 000 units per year). In addition, by 2016, 80% of Nissan vehicles sold in the country will be produced locally. In 2015, the new Qashqai will be manufactured in St. Petersburg, while two new Datsun models will be produced in the Togliatti plant.

14-11-2  

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The Saudi car market has taken off since 2011

The Saudi passenger car market has been increasing since 2011 and reached 600 000 units in 2013, against just under 500 000 in 2012 and 400 000 in 2005-2009.

In 2013, Saudi Arabia has become the largest market for passenger cars in the Middle East. This market is exceptionally ahead of that of Iran this year (550 000 PC) which experienced an embargo but whose regular sales level is around 1 million units each year. Followed by Israel (200 000 PC), Oman (140 000 PC) and Kuwait (125 000 PC), to name only the largest markets in the region.

The Toyota Group is the leader of the Saudi market with 218 000 sales of PC in 2013 (with a market share of 36%), followed by Hyundai-Kia group (174 000 PC sales, 29% market share). These two groups alone occupy 65% of the Saudi market, well ahead of GM and Ford, the two American brands, former leaders of this market.

By model, five Toyota cars are among the top seven places : the Corolla (57 007), Camry (34 388), Yaris (25 687), Land Cruiser (23 932), Fortuner (18 507). The Hyundai Elantra (47 348) and the Accent (35 522) are in second and third place.

Note that the LCV market represents 150 000 sales in 2013, i.e. 1 LCV to 4 PC, mostly represented by pickups : Toyota Hilux and Isuzu D-Max. Toyota sold 300 000 passenger cars and LCVs in Saudi Arabia in 2013.

14-10-10  

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Mercedes launches the GLA its compact SUV (segment C)

Mercedes is launching its segment C SUV named the GLA, based on the recent Class A. With a length of 4.41 meters (against 4.29 m for the Class A), it is positioned between the Audi Q3 (4.38 m ) and the BMW X1 (4.45 m), its two main competitors.


Once the leading manufacturer of premium cars, Mercedes has gradually fell behind BMW and Audi in terms of sales, probably due to a lack of responsiveness and opportunism. Since the launch of the A-Class in 2012, Mercedes has been attempting to rejuvenate and diversify its range, which so far is successful as the A-Class has seduced 55% of customers who did not previously drive a Mercedes (Source : Daimler). In addition, this model has rejuvenated the brand's customers by almost 10 years. In 2013, Mercedes bridged part of the cleavage with BMW and Audi with global sales up by nearly 8%. Now, its C segment range (Class A, Class B and CLA) represents 45% of its global sales.


With the GLA SUV, Mercedes drives the nail in and is able to complete the bottom of its SUV range that already consists of the  G-Class GL-Class GLK-Class and ML-Class. The GLA will be offered at a price starting at 39 000 euros. Its engines will be identical to those of the Class and CLA models. It will be produced in the Rastatt plant in Germany, alongside the Class A and Class B, and not in the Kecskemét plant in Hungary, as the manufacturer originally planned.


14-11-3  

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Is the end of Lancia coming soon?

A single model was presented on the Lancia booth at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show : the Ypsilon. The rest of the range was absent (Delta, Flavia, Thema, Voyager). This is the first time that the stand of the Italian firm was so empty. Is this a herald of the end of the brand?


The leadership of the Fiat-Chrysler Group has recently stated that the Lancia brand would now be reserved for Italy and will market a single model. A brand with a single model in a single country, this means the group is killing the brand softly. Autobianchi met the same fate in the 90s.


After the takeover of Chrysler by Fiat in 2010, they decided to remove the Chrysler brand in Europe and replace it by Lancia, they did it by renaming its models : the 200 (Flavia), 300 (Thema) and Voyager (Voyager). The expected success was not met and the sale figures of the renamed Chryslers under the Lancia name became confidential.


In the groups brand management , Fiat has always struggled to have the Alfa and Lancia brands coexist, both brands have a premium positioning with little differentiation. And these two brands weren't a match for German brands such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes who have developed and diversified themselves. Especially as the Fiat-Chrysler group is now boosting the Maserati brand. Under these conditions, wedged between the Alfa brand and German brands on the one hand, and the Maserati brand on the other, Lancia has no more significance on the world market.


14-11-1  

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