The new Suzuki SX4 has changed segments

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The new Suzuki SX4 has changed segments
 

- At Suzuki, everyone was expecting a new crossover that would fill the gap between the small SX4 and the Grand Vitara, and which would be based on the S-Cross Concept thatwaspresentedat the Paris World Motor Show in October 2012. But contrary to all expectations, it was ultimately the replacement of the SX4 which was unveiled in Geneva.


- This model has undergone a substantial increase in its dimensions; sufficient in any case to change categories, passing from the B segment to the C segment: it is now 4.30 metres long (as opposed to 4.14 metres on the old model). Consequently, the new Suzuki SX4 is closer to the Nissan Qashqai (C segment) in terms of dimensions (4.32 metres long), which it is the new competitor of, whilstat the same time remaining a long way off the dimensions of the Suzuki Grand Vitara (4.47 metres long).


- Thus the Suzuki SX4 has joined a segment which is also very competitive, and which features the Nissan Qashqai, the VW Tiguan, the Toyota Rav-4, the Peugeot 3008, the Ford Kuga, the Kia Sportage, the Hyundai Ix35, the Chevrolet Captiva, and the Opel Antara.


- It should be noted that the new Suzuki SX4 (which is still produced in Hungary at the Esztergom plant) will no longer be available in a relabelled Fiat Sedici version, as the Italian manufacturer has decided to start from scratch in order to design its new 500 X compact crossover.

 

 13-10-10

 

  

The return to grace of Japanese compact estate cars

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The return to grace of Japanese compact estate cars
 
- A few weeksapart, Toyota and Honda have unveiled their first compact estate cars in a decade. The Toyota Auris and Honda Civic estates mark the return to grace of estates in this category, as both Japanese manufacturers had gradually abandoned them, with the preceding generations of the Auris and Civic not having estate car versions.

- For a long time, estate cars' market share accounted for approximately 15% of the European market,with major disparities depending on the cars' segmentation. The A and B segments had few saloon cars, whereas for the D and E segments, saloons accounted for nearlyhalf of sales. The C segment was in-between these two trends, with saloon car versions accounting for 20 to 30% of sales.
 
- Over the last twelve years, estate cars have faced increasing competition from MPVs, and then more recently from SUVs and crossovers. Nowadays, estate cars still constitutes lightly more than 13% of sales on the European market, which is encouraging certain manufacturers to relaunch this vehicle body type, like Honda and Toyota at the latest Geneva motor show.

 

 13-10-9

 

  

The Chinese groups' multi-brand strategy called into question

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The Chinese groups' multi-brand strategy called into question
 
- Nowadays, Chinese automotive groups generally have several brands (some of which are under joint ventures). Indeed, these groups have multiplied 100% Chinese brand launches over the last few years, in light of a local market projected to develop rapidly and on a massive scale. This strategy was inspired by the one adopted by US manufacturers in the 20s and 30s when the US market increased to a major extent.
 
- In China, this multi-brand policy faces the obstacle of the very large number of brands already on the market, consisting of 100% Chinese brands that are already established, and particularly foreign brands, which constitute 70% of the market.

- Chery illustrated this consideration by deciding to bring an end to its multi-brand strategy with the discontinuation in the next four years of the Chinese brands Rely and Riich, and the Cowin range.

- Other Chinese groups like Geely or FAW, are about to follow Chery. In particular, the reason for this trend is the very low volume of sales of certain brands that are 100% Chinese (in the case of FAW and Chery) and by a risk of cannibalisation of a secondary brand by the group'sprimary brand (in the case of Geely and its Emgrand brand).

- So consequently it is the multi-brand strategy of the Chinese groups as a whole which is now being called in question. A reduction in Chinese brands, and even a single-brand strategy could, to the contrary, have the beneficial effect of better positioning of these brands and give them a higher profile in the sales rankings in China compared to foreign brands. The Chinese groups could therefore draw inspiration from the GM Group, which increased Chevrolet's sales volumes  by placing its brand on Daewoo models.

 

 13-10-7

 

  

In Argentina, the production of passenger cars (PC) and utility vehicles (UV) experienced a 2.3% drop in February 2013 compared to February 2012

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In Argentina, the production of passenger cars (PC) and utility vehicles (UV) experienced a 2.3% drop in February 2013 compared to February 2012
 

- According to ADEFA (the Association of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers), production in Argentina of passenger cars (PC) and utility vehicles (UV) fell 2.3% in February 2013 compared to February 2012.


- But thanks to January's increase (up 4.9% compared to January 2012), the first twomonths of 2013 experienced a slight rise compared to the first two months of 2012 (up 0.8%).


- In February 2013, 52 911 vehicles were produced, including 32 888 passenger cars (11.8% compared to February 2012) and 18 189 utility vehicles (up 12.9% compared to February 2012).


- Over the first two months of 2013, production was dominated by B group segments and by light utilities, which, between them, accounted for 84% of national production.


- Argentinian production is spread evenly between the various groups. Fiat-Chrysler was, over the first two months of 2013, the leading producer of vehicles (thanks to the Fiat Palio the Fiat Siena), followed by GM (with the Chevrolet Agile), Renault-Nissan (with the 2nd-generation Renault Clio), PSA (and the Peugeot 206+), VW (with the VW Suran and the VW Amarok), Toyota (with the Hilux), and lastly Ford (with the Ford Focus II and the Ford Ranger).

 

 13-10-8

 

  

Sales of passenger cars (PC) and utility vehicles (UV) in Mexico increased in February 2013 by 7.3% compared to February 2012

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Sales of passenger cars (PC) and utility vehicles (UV) in Mexico increased in February 2013 by 7.3% compared to February 2012
 

- According to AMIA (the Mexican Automotive Industry Association), sales of passenger cars (PC) and utility vehicles (UV) increased 7.3% in February 2013 compared to the same month last year.


- The volume of sales for the month of February thus amounted to 80 193 units,  making this February the best one since 2008.


- With January also experiencing a rise, the first two months of 2013 witnessed a sales increase of 9.4% compared with the same period last year.


- The February 2013 increase (compared with February 2012) on the Mexican market was sustained by:

- SUVs (up 16.4%), dominated by the Honda CR-V, in spite of a drop in its sales.

- D and E segment vehicles (up 15.6%), led by the VW Passat.

- Small cars (up 16.8%) with the Nissan Versa holding number 1 ranking in the segment.


- For their part, the other segments experienced a fall: B segment (-3.3%), people carriers (-11.8%),  and pick-ups (-5.1%).

-Over the first two months of 2013, the market continued to be dominated, in terms of order of importance, by the following groups: Renault-Nissan (up 9.35%), GM (up 7.96%), VW (up 21.15%), Fiat-Chrysler (up 7.65%), Ford (up 5.78%) and Honda (up 11.78%).

 

 13-10-6

  

  1. 84.1 million passenger cars (PCs) and utility vehicles (UV) were produced worldwide in 2012
  2. Rolls-Royce launches a coupé derived from the Ghost
  3. Continuing fall in sales of D segment cars made by general manufacturers
  4. The Volkswagen Golf VII crowned "Car of the Year 2013"
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