Lexus is expected to increase its market share with its new SUV: the NX

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Lexus is expected to increase its market share with its new SUV: the NX
 
- During the first half of the year Lexus introduced its new D-segment SUV named NX. This model which is as long as a BMW X3 uses the platform of the Toyota RAV4 and is positioned below the RX (segment E) in the carmakers' range. Marketed since September in Europe, the Lexus NX started well and should soon exceed the sales volume of its predecessor.

- Globally, the new NX should gradually supplant the RX in terms of sales, and considering that the RX was manufactured at 90 000 copies in Japan and 90 000 in North America, it is estimated that the new model that is more compact and cheaper could reach a production rate of 200 000 units per year. In 2016, the NX model should represent nearly 25% of Lexus total production. In comparison with its competitors,  the Q5 represents 14% of Audi's production, the X3 represents 9% of BMW's production and the GLK accounts for 8% of Mercedes’ production .

- This model is a key element for the expansion of the Lexus brand worldwide. In 2013, Lexus sold 520 000 vehicles worldwide, and the NX could help the brand to sell 700 000 vehicles by 2015 and 800 000 in 2016, and is one step closer to the three premium German brands (Audi, BMW, Mercedes). These manufactures have spread out their US range on more compact segments, especially in the SUV category . By adopting the same strategy, The NX is therefore an important part of the global development of Lexus.

14-30-9  


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Current leaders of China's automobile production

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Current leaders of China's automobile production
 

- In 2014, China's automobile production will grow by over 10% and will remain the world's largest producer. Nine leading groups stand out and account for 70% of China's automobile production representing 15.5 million units in 2014.


- However, these nine manufacturers can be classified into three distinct groups: leaders (VW and GM), one follower (Hyundai-Kia) and finally a squad composed of Changan (only Chinese manufacturer in the top 9), Toyota, Renault-Nissan, Honda, Ford and PSA.


- By themselves, VW (with nearly 30 models produced) and GM (with nearly 20 models, including GM Wuling) will exceed 7.5 million cars produced in China in 2014, i.e. one-third of the Chinese production of PC.


- The Hyundai-Kia group benefits from its proactive policy of opening plants and increasing its local production capacity (nearly 2 million cars produced in 2014) probably at the expense of Japanese manufacturers.


- The next six manufacturers represent between 0.8 and 1.2 million cars manufactured this year.


- However, the analysis of market shares shows that VW is increasing while most other manufacturers maintain their market share. This means that production volumes are increasing following the pattern of the local market without really standing out or taking market share from their competitors.


14-30-6  


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The production capacity of Renault’s Douai and Sandouville plants aren't expected to increase before 2019

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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.

14-30-5  


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2013 Chinese production by province or autonomous region

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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).

14-30-7  


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Sales by brand in the US (PC + LCV) in 2014

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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.

14-30-3  


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  1. Fiat-Chrysler unveiled the Fiat 500X
  2. Suzuki unveiled the new Ciaz sedan
  3. LCV sales outpaced PC sales in the US market in 2014
  4. China registered 31 000 hybrid and electric vehicles over the 8 months of 2014
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