Category Blog

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Nissan Leaf sales take off in the U.S.

- Nissan Leaf sales begins to take off in the U.S.A. Sales were around 500 vehicles per month between January 2012 and July 2012 (more than in full 2011), then raised to 1500 vehicles per month between August 2012 and December 2012 and more than 2 000 vehicles in March 2013. Sales have therefore now overpassed sales of Chevrolet Volt.

- This strong growth (for an electric model) is expected to last. The Nissan Leaf is indeed produced in the U.S.A since December 2012 (3000 units produced in March 2013), and the made-in-USA version is offered with a $6 000 discount against the made-in-Japan version Nissan has developed a new Leaf strategy : produce outside of Japan vehicles to be sold in North America and Europe.

- Nissan plans a strong sales growth in Europe, where the model is assembled in Great-Britain since December 2012. This model is less expensive by 3000 Euros compared to the previous version that came from Japan. More than 1 000 Leaf vehicles were sold in March 2013 in Europe.

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

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

The Austrian market has not suffered from the crisis of 2008-2009

- The Austrian market has well weathered the 2008-2009 crisis. The volume of registrations (passenger cars), which was 296,000 units in 2007 and 294,000 in 2008, has not fallen below 300,000 between 2009 and 2012.

- The Austrian market has actually peaked in 2011, a rare phenomenon in Europe, with 356,000 units. On the other hand, if we consider the period 2000-2008, this market is finally remained stable (around 300 000 units per year), and the years 2009-2012 were the best of the decade.

- The Austrian market is characterized by the overwhelming dominance of Volkswagen cars in 10 top bestsellers: 8 VW group cars in the top 10: 1st: VW Golf, 2nd: VW Tiguan, 3rd: VW Polo, 4th: Skoda Octavia, 5th; Skoda Fabia, 6th Seat Ibiza, 9th : VW Passat, 10th : Audi A4. The other cars present in top 10 are: Hyundai i30 is at 7th position, Ford Fiesta at 8th position.

- Considering carmakers, the VW group is market leader ahead of Hyundai-Kia and Renault-Nissan. American groups GM and Ford are largely overpassed by the Korean group Hyundai-Kia.

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

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Hungarian market decreased 74% since 2005

- Hungarian car market is one of those who declined the most in Europe since the 2008 financial crisis. This market fell from 173,000 new car sales in 2007 down to 53,000 vehicle sales in 2012, a drop in sales of 70% in 5 years, and even 74% in 7 years (between 2005 and 2012).

- The Hungarian market had reached a peak in 2004-2005, when Hungary entered the European Union. But the market quickly turned upside down. It collapsed between 2005 and 2010. The bad economic environment combined with an influx of used vehicles from Europe has strongly destabilized the entire new home market.

- The Hungarian market fell down in 2012 to a level reached in the 80s, offsetting the growth of years 1995-2005, when the market had doubled.

- The trend should slowly reverse in the years 2013-2017.

- The VW Group is the Hungarian market leader ahead of Ford and GM.

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

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

The Swiss market has broken its record in 2012

- The Swiss market has well weathered the 2008-2009 crisis. The volume of registrations (passenger cars), which was 286 000 units in 2007 and 289,000 in 2008, has not fallen below 250,000 in 2009, and increased to 294,000 in 2010, 319,000 in 2011 and 328,000 in 2012, setting a new registration record .

- The Swiss market has reached its peak in 2012, a rare phenomenon in Europe. On the other hand, if we consider the period 2000-2012, the market level is remained stable (around 300 000 units per year).

- The Swiss market is characterized by the overwhelming dominance of Volkswagen cars in 10 top bestsellers: 7 VW group cars in the top 10: 1st: VW Golf, 2nd: Skoda Octavia, 3rd: VW Polo, 4th: VW Tiguan, 5th; VW Passat, 6th VW Touran 10th : Audi A4. The other cars present in top 10 are: Mercedes C-Class is at 7th position, Ford Fiesta at 8th position , Opel Astra at 9th position.

- Considering carmakers, Volkswagen Group is the undisputed leader in this market to Renault-Nissan and PSA. American groups GM and Ford are ahead of the Korean group Hyundai-Kia.

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

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Chevrolet launches its Full Size Model : the Impala

- Chevrolet introduced its new "Full Size“ model, which is equivalent to a E Segment model in European classification.

- It is the 10th generation of the Impala, the top-range model of the mark (not taking into account the Camaro and Corvette which have a special position).. The Impala was introduced in 1958 as an option in Bel Air coupe and convertible range: a sportier and more richly equipped car. In 1959 it became a full range(sedan, wagon, coupe, convertible) derived from Bel Air models. A more luxury version (Caprice) was launched in 1965.

- After disappearing in 1996, the Impala reappeared in 2000 as the replacement for the Lumina. Today, the Impala is the direct competitor of the Ford Taurus. It is built on the platform of the Buick La Crosse and Cadillac XTS. The 2013 Impala measure 510 cm long, 185 cm wide and 147 cm high. It has a 3.6-liter V6 engine. Base price: 27,535 dollars.

- To cushion the impact of the launch of the Impala, the Ford Taurus has been restyled. Both models are traditionally leaders in vehicle fleets and rental companies.