Category Blog

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

European exports continued to grow in 2012

- Partially offsetting a European market having declined by 8% to 11.75 million cars in 2012 (in comparison with 2011), the level of exports from Europe to outside Europe continued to increase over the same period (+4%) to 2.7 million cars (against 2.6 million in 2011). Since 2010, EU exports have increased continuously
The main recipients of EU exports are the United States (865,000 units), Russia (565,000) and China (530,000).

- Imports from outside Europe to Europe on their side fell 10% in 2012, 3.3 million cars in 2012 (against 3.65 million in 2011). Regarding imports into Europe, we can observe a predominance of Asian countries: Korea (300,000), Japan (180,000) and India (160,000). China mainly exports to Russia, Turkey and Ukraine.

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

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Nissan Leaf production starts at Sunderland

- Since its launch two years ago, more than 60,000 Nissan leaf have been sold. It is an honourableresult for an electric model, but still far from the levels of sales of the compact car class. Consequently the Japanese manufacturer is widening its offer.. All Leaf sold worldwide so far were actually identical. Now every continent will have its own specificities.

- Thus, the European Leaf, produced in Sunderland, England, is receiving some technical changes. The American Leaf produced in Smyrna (Tennessee), is also receiving changes but not the same ones. It is to be noted that all Leaf were hitherto made in Japan.

- Nissan took the opportunity to brush up on its electric model. The main innovation concerns the move of the charger from the boot forward, eliminating the stair when the seat is folded down. In addition, there are new colors, new wheels and the arrival of a real range, with three trim levels. Previously, the model was only available in blue with a single trim level.
The price is 23,990 euros bonus deducted.

Data source : File #10 - Start of Production (SOP) of new and modified vehicles in Europe

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Italian market decreased by 45% since 2007

-The Italian car market has dropped sharply since 2007. It declined nearly by 45% since that date. It went back in 2012 down to levels recorded in 80 (1.4 million units). Italy is a country in Southern Europe very affected by the recession and fall in car sales, by the side of Greece, Spain and Portugal.

-The austerity policies implemented by governments of these countries, due to their indebtedness, have contributed to cause the onset of recession in these countries.

-The manufacturer the most affected in Italy is obviously the Fiat group which traditionally occupies more than 30% of this market. In 2012, the Fiat Group not only fell below this figure (29.6%), but lost 104,000 sales compared to 2011, which had already experienced a loss of 82,000 sales compared to 2010, the year which itself had experienced a loss of 116,000 from 2009.

-Over three years, the Fiat Group lost 302,000 sales. Exports failed to offset the drop in sales on the domestic market. At the Fiat-Chrysler group level, however, Chrysler Group, compensates for the fall of the Fiat group by increasing its global sales (+ 900 000 over three years).

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

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

BelDzhi starts Geely car production in Belarus

- The Chinese car manufacturer Geelystarted production in Belarus at the end of February 2013, within the frame of its joint venture BelDzhi, which is 50% owned by the manufacturer Belarusian BelAZ, 32% by Geely and 18% by State Belarus. The joint venture (which also assemble vehicles in Russia) should produce 10,000 cars per year and the capacity be increased to 60 000 units per year in 2017.

- The assembly of CKD cars (Completely Knocked Down cars) in Belarus allows Geely not only to penetrate the local market, but also export vehicles more easily to Russia, and then to other neighboring countries. Indeed, vehicles manufactured in Belarus are not subject to the same import duties as those from countries outside the customs union of Russia and Belarus.

- BelDzhishould first assemble a compact sedan (segment C) for Russian and Belarusian markets. This model will be the competitor to Qorosof the Chinese Chery.

Data source : File #10 - Start of Production (SOP) of new and modified vehicles in Europe

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Ford launches the Ecosport to compete with the Opel Mokka and Nissan Juke

- As a consequence of its sharp decline on the European market (-23.3% in January 2013 compared to January 2012, after a very bad -27.3% in December 2012 compared to December 2011), the Ford group decided to market earlier in Europe (first sales were initially planned in late 2013) its small crossover Ecosport (already available in South America since last year)in order to position itself at the earliest on the growing market of compact crossovers.

- This market which develops rapidly, especially in Europe, is already occupied by the Nissan Juke (150,000 vehicles have been sold on the European continent last year), and more recently by the Opel Mokka, the Chevrolet Traxand in a few weeks by the Peugeot 2008 and Renault Captur.

- The Ford Ecosport uses the same engine and platform as the Fiesta and the B-Max. It should not be available in 4-wheel drive, but only in 2 wheel drive. It is to be noted that only 5% of Nissan Juke are sold in 4-wheel drive, which doesn’t prompt the carmakers to provide this type of vehicle in this configuration.

- The model Ecosport sold in Europe will come directly from the Ford plant in Brazil (Sao Bernado). This is the first crossover of this size in Ford range.