In 2013 the South African market has regained its 2006-2007 levels
- Details
- The South African market (sales of PC on South African soil) set its best record in 2006, with over 470 000 units sold (against 400 000 in 2005 and 300 000 in 2004).
- Severely affected by the financial crisis of 2008-2009 (the market lost 45% of its volume between 2006 and 2009), as of 2010 the South African market bounced back very well to finally exceed 350 000 units in 2012 and 450 000 units in 2013. Therefor, this market was the largest on the African continent, since Algeria with who the country was competing for the first place in 2012, has seen its market decline in 2013 and thereby didn't reach South African figures.
- By carmakers, the VW group (largest producer in South Africa) remains the market leader in 2013 with 23% market penetration, ahead of Toyota (15%) and Hyundai-Kia (15%) whose launch on this market is quite recent. These three companies occupy together 53% of the South African market in 2013.
- American groups GM and Ford, once market leaders, have lost much of their influence, with respectively 8% and 6% market share in 2013 (against 9% and 7% in 2012). The seven best-selling models in 2013 were the VW Polo (segment B - 61 993 units), Toyota Etios (segment B - 24 367), Ford Figo (segment B - 15 254) Hyundai i20 (segment B - 14 420 ) which are ahead of the Mercedes C Class (segment D - 12 565), Toyota Corolla (segment C - 12 414) and BMW 3 Series (segment D - 12 116), all assembled locally.
Read more... In 2013 the South African market has regained its 2006-2007 levels
Nissan is going to launch two new C-segment sedans in 2014
- Details
- Nissan produces C-segment sedans in all regions of the world except Europe. Indeed, in this continent, the manufacturer decided to replace in 2007 its segment C Almera sedan by a segment C crossover (Qashqai) that is experiencing a great success since its launch (200 000 sales per year in Europe +35 000 sales in Russia).
- In 2014 however, Nissan is back on C-segment sedan models, one of the largest segments in Europe, launching two new sedans: The Pulsar and Tiida.
- The production of the second generation Tiida will start in August in the Russian AvtoVAZ plant based in Izhevsk. The former IzhAvto plant that used to produce Hyundai-Kia vehicles before going bankrupt. The hatchback version of the Tiida model will also be made in this plant, starting from January 2015. This model (in both variants) will be marketed exclusively in Russia.
- The production of the Pulsar, a new compact hatchback car will be launched in September in the Spanish plant of Barcelona, it will be marketed both in Europe and in Russia. The manufacturer hopes to sell 80 000 units per year. It must be noted that the Almera name was not picked for this model since it already designates a D segment model sold in Russia.
- The arrival of these two vehicles will allow the Nissan brand to expand its model range, which was perilously concentrated on two models, the Juke and Qasqhai(68% of European and Russian production in 2013 ). These two successful models will unfortunately have more and more competition from crossovers from B and C segments.
Read more... Nissan is going to launch two new C-segment sedans in 2014
China will become Volvo's second world market in 2014
- Details
Read more... China will become Volvo's second world market in 2014
Maserati aims 50 000 sales worldwide in 2016
- Details
Fiat-Chrysler is finally going to replace the Alfa Giulietta
- Details
- The Fiat-Chrysler group (FCA) has planned an extensive program to revitalize the Alfa Romeo brand, that is currently declining (target: 500 000 sales in 2020 against less than 100 000 in 2013). In the brand's re-launch program, the manufacturer focuses primarily on high-end vehicles (segments D and E). The Mito (B segment) and Giulietta (C segment) therefor seem doomed.
- The Giulietta will after all have its offspring, which makes sense when you consider the recent history of the Alfa Romeo brand which focused on C-segment models, and if we also consider its competitors (Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus Volvo) that all have C-segment models (A3, Series 1, Class A). The Mito will be the only model which won't be replaced.
- It will be more likely for Alfa-Romeo to reach 500 000 sales in 2020 with the help of a C-segment model (manufactured in Cassino, Italy), which could represent up to 100 000 sales per year.
- This program is part of a broader strategy of brand repositioning inside the FCA group. Fiat will become the entry-range brand, Dodge the mainstream brand, Chrysler will become an intermediate between mainstream and premium brands, Alfa-Romeo the premium brand, Maserati and Ferrari brands will become the super-premium brands. The Jeep brand will hold a special place, it will market all of FCA's SUV starting from entry level to Premium level. The Lancia brand will be permanently removed.
Read more... Fiat-Chrysler is finally going to replace the Alfa Giulietta





