Who is Fengshen?
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- This week, the management of PSA (whose Dongfeng holds 14% of the capital) raised the possibility of selling vehicles of Fengshen brand in Europe in the future. But who is Fengshen, this brand unknown in Europe?
- Fengshen is a Chinese automobile manufacturer founded in 2009 and belonging to the Dongfeng Group. The first model of the brand was the 4 door sedan (C segment ) S30, unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show in April 2009. Marketed in China in July 2009, it was followed in January 2011 by the sedan H30, a five-door derived from the S30.
- Both models are based on the platform of the Peugeot 307, which is produced by Dongfeng JV since 2004.
The models S30 ( Sedan 30) and H30 ( Hatchback 30) are produced alongside the crossover H30 Cross, which displays a more SUV style.
- The A60 sedan (segment D) was unveiled in November 2011 and sold in China in March 2012.
It is based on the platform of the Nissan Sylphy, produced since 2000 by Dongfeng - under a JV with Nissan - under the name Nissan Bluebird.
- Fengshen, manufacturing four models, produced 73,068 vehicles in 2013 (against 65,993 in 2012) and began exporting its cars from September 2012, when the brand was launched in Venezuela.
Europe imports fewer and fewer vehicles
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- Unlike European exports, imports recorded in Europe continued to decline in 2013, down by 1.5% to 3.30 million passenger cars (against 3 350 000 in 2012 and 3 650 000 in 2011) .
- By observing the origin of these imports, we can see a clear predominance of Asian countries:
- Korea (275 000 units), but this country will lower the number of imports of Chevrolet to Europe (145 000 units in 2013), preparing the removal of this brand on this continent in 2016.
- Japan (190 000 units).
- India (110 000 units), which will nevertheless stop delivering the Suzuki Alto to Europe as from June 2014 (32 000 units in 2013)
- Thailand (45 000 units), which also became a significant country in terms of exports, with the Suzuki brand, that will export the Celerio as from July 2014 to replace the Alto.
- The NAFTA region has delivered 250 000 vehicles to Europe last year. Morocco has gradually become a major car exporting country to Europe, due to the launch of the Tangier plant (which currently produces the Dacia Lodgy and Dokker). In 2013, Morocco delivered more than 50 000 vehicles to Europe (twice the amount produced in 2012). In 2014, with the arrival of the Sandero and the increasing sales rate on the site of Tangier, we can expect that 100 000 vehicles will be exported from Morocco to Europe.
Suzuki is going to suspend its exports from India to Europe starting from June 2014
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Read more... Suzuki is going to suspend its exports from India to Europe starting from June 2014
Top 10 plants in South America
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- Here are the top ten plants in the South America region in 2013:
- First: the Fiat plant in Betim (-2.8%), the largest Fiat factory in the world (capacity: 800 000 vehicles per year).
- 2nd: the Volkswagen plant in Taubate (-7.0%).
- 3rd: the Volkswagen plant in Sao Jose dos Pinhais (+9.8%)
- 4th: the Ford plant in Sao Bernardo (+33.4%).
- 5th: the Chevrolet plant in Gravatai (+12.4%).
- 6th: the Chevrolet plant in Sao Caetano do Sul (+5.3%).
- 7th: the Renault plant in Curitiba (+9.7%).
- 8th: the Hyundai plant in Piracicaba (+108.7%).
- 9th: Peugeot-Citroen plant in Porto Real (+14.2%).
- 10th: the Honda plant in Sumare (-1.7%).
- The production of these 10 plants accounted for more than 3 million vehicles (cars + LCVs) in 2013, 75% of the production of the South America region (excluding CKD).
The BMW Group plans to sell more than 2 million vehicles by 2014
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Read more... The BMW Group plans to sell more than 2 million vehicles by 2014