Category Blog

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

The contrasting trends of major global markets in the first five first months of 2013

- While we expect a decrease of 3% to 4% of the European passenger car market in May 2013 (compared to 2012), the major markets have experienced contrasting trends last month:

§Rising markets are, Chinese markets (+9.0%), Brazilian (11.1%), Argentinean (25.1%) Canadian (2.5%), Mexican (12.1%), American (5.1%), Turkish (22.1%).

§On the downside, the Japanese market (-16.5%), Russia (-12.0%), India (-8.9%).

§The Korean and Australian markets remained stable.

- On the cumulative five first months of 2013, while we expect a decrease of 6% of the European market, the world's major markets confirm the contrasting evolution of May:

§Raising markets are, the Chinese markets (+15.5%), Brazilian (9.1%), Argentinean (5.5%), Korean (2.5%), Mexican (10.0%), American (3.6%), Turkish (21.3%).

§On the downside, the Japanese market (-7.7%), Russia (-4.3%), India (-10.0%) Canadian (-1.0%).

§The Australian market remained stable.

Data source: File #55 - Registrations in the World by makes

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Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Opel could produce the Mokka in Europe

- Opel plans to produce the Mokka in Europe to meet the growing demand for this model. The leisure vehicle is currently only assembled in South Korea by GM Korea (formerly Daewoo).

- Since the launch of Mokka about six months ago, more than 100,000 orders were received in Europe, but these orders can not be accepted by the Korean plant during the start-up period of a new model.

- In the first five months of 2013, it had sold nearly 30,000 Mokkas in Europe, which accounts for nearly 10% of Opel's European sales, while the model is only in its initial phase.

- The Mokka is part of the small SUV segment which is very popular at the moment, like the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur and Peugeot 2008. Chevrolet (other brand of the GM group) also has a small SUV, the Trax, a renamed version of the Opel Mokka.

- The plant in Zaragoza (Spain) would be best placed to accommodate the production of the Mokka, because this small crossover is the same size as the Corsa and Meriva, and the utilisation rate of the plant this year fell under 60% of its capacity.

- While Opel faces many difficulties (including financial losses, underutilised plants and the consequences of the closure of the Bochum plant), the return of a model production in Europe is a sign of recovery for the brand.

Data source: File #105 - Production in Europe detailed by model and plant

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Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Volvo raises its sales targets for its hybrid V60

- Volvo has raised its production targets for the V60 Plug-in Hybrid in order to cope with demand greater than expected. The manufacturer now expects to produce 10,000 units of this model by the end of 2014 (against an initial forecast of 5000 units).

- The V60 Plug-in Hybrid is currently only available in Europe. In most European markets, buyers of plug-in hybrid vehicles get a purchase bonus or government aid, which has boosted the models sales .

- The Swedish carmaker therefor gives up Electric C30 program. Volvo acknowledges having sold a total of less than 250 units of the compact sedan that was equipped with a 150km range. The carmaker now wants to focus more on its future rechargeable or non-rechargeable hybrid vehicles.

- Volvo believes that electrical vehicles should represent at most 1% of the automotive market in 2020, while Renault expects 10%. The next hybrid model marketed by the Swedish brand will be the XC60 plug-in hybrid.

Data source: File #55 - Registrations in the World by makes

Contact us: info@inovev.com

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Fiat repeats that it will not close any plants in Italy

- Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of Fiat and the General Manager of Chrysler, reiterated his intention to keep all the Italian Fiat plants in operation: "I confirm that there will be no closures in Italy, but we need to use partial unemployment as there will be no stimulus in the market. "

- Fiat plants in Italy are among those that turn most slowly. Thus, the Cassino plant operating at 46% capacity in 2012, the Mirafiori plant to 32%, the Melfi plant at ... 27%. Only the Pomigliano 67% and Val Di Sangro 80% plants record correct performances.

- Overall, the rate of use of Fiat factories in Italy was of 47% in 2012 and should be even poorer in 2013 due to a decline in the European market. This is the European carmaker the most affected by lower rates.

Data source: File #105 - Production in Europe detailed by model and plant

Contact us: info@inovev.com

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Chevrolet does not compensate for Opel's loss in the European market

- In Europe, the GM group sells vehicles under the Opel (Vauxhall in Britain) and Chevrolet brands. The Opel brand has seen its sales fall by 5.3% in Europe in the first four months of 2013 (compared to the first four months of 2012), to 279,409 units, its market share stays stable at 6.7% .

- The Chevrolet brand was unable to compensate for this loss since its sales in Europe fell by 32.7% in the first four months of 2013 (compared to the first four months of 2012) to 45,706 units, its market share falling from 1.5% to 1.1%.

- The Chevrolet brand should benefit from the rising demand for smaller, affordable cars, but it was adversely affected by an aging range. Spark Sales (segment A) and Aveo (segment B), which represent nearly half of the volume of Chevrolet on the European market, decreased by 37% (to 12,245 units) and 44% (to 10,235 units) between January and April. The Chevrolet Trax (mini SUV) has not brought a real boost to the brand.

- It is estimated that sales of Chevrolet in the European Union should continue to decline until 2016, when the Spark, Aveo and Cruze will be replaced. These sales would then go back to 200,000 units, after falling to 148,000 units in 2015. The brand sold 172,000 cars in Europe last year (- 3% compared to 2011).