Category Blog

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Lexus launches the third generation of Lexus IS

- Lexus (Toyota's luxury subsidiary) introduced the third generation of the IS, which will be marketed in 2013. The previous model dated back from 2005. It had a rather discreet career .

- It is to be noted that the IS model is a segment D sedan. It competes directly with the segment D Premium cars: BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Mercedes C-Class and Volvo S60.

- The exterior styling of the new Lexus IS has an aggressive appearance (grille, taillights) and its line highlights a certain sportiness, probably to get closer to the style of the BMW 3 Series, its direct competitor .

- The new Lexus will showcase a new hybrid (gasoline-electric) engine missing so far on this model. In 2013, the entire Lexus range vehicles will be available equipped with hybrid engines: from the CT to the RX including therefore the IS, GS and LS.

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

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Chevrolet renews the Corvette at its 60th birthday

- Chevrolet renews the Corvette at the occasion of its 60th anniversary. The first Corvette was born actually in January 1953. The new model presented this week at the Detroit Motorshow is the 7th generation of Corvette (code: C7).

- The redesign of this model as an objective to boost sales of this legendary sports car which fell to less than 20,000 units annually since 2009. The Corvette has experienced three peak sales: at the end of year 70 (49,000 sales in 1978), the mid-80s (46,000 sales in 1985) and the mid-2000s (42,000 sales in 2006).

- The new 2013 version highlights a more aggressive style, with some likeness with the recent Ferrari F12 and Dodge Viper.

- The vehicle keeps its 6.2-liter engine (no downsizing) but with a power increased from 430hp (Corvette C6) to 450hp (Corvette C7). For the first time, the Corvette is equipped with a seven gears gearbox, such as the Porsche 911.

- Since 1953, Chevrolet sold 1.55 million Corvette.

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

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Volkswagen and Daimler will not collaborate any more in the utility vehicles

- Volkswagen plans to terminate its partnership with Daimler. This partnership , which relates to the manufacture by Daimler (Mercedes) of the utility vehicle Volkswagen Crafter, is due to expire in 2016.

- Volkswagen would not wish to pursue its cooperation with Daimler. The Volkswagen utility vehicles (which includes Volkswagen-Nutzfahrzeuge, MAN and Scania) division could develop the next model taking over the Crafter.

- Volkswagen confirmed it would favour MAN (of which it owns more than 75% of shares) rather than Daimler. Until now, the Volkswagen Crafter and Mercedes Sprinter (these vehicles are quasi identical) were assembled together in the Düsseldorf and LudwigsfeldeDaimler plants.

- The Volkswagen version of the Mercedes Sprinter accounted for approximately 20% of total sales of the model taking into account both brands. It is not certain that Mercedes can reclaim the Crafter’s clientele in the future.

Data source: File #52 - Registrations in Europe by make and model

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Renault: production decreased in all European plants except Flins and Moscou

-European production of Renault (Renault-Nissan-Dacia group, excluding Nissan group) has declined by about 9% in 2012 compared to 2011.

-Production was lower in 2012 compared to 2011 in all European plants of the group, with the exception of two of them: Moscow and Flins. Factors explaining these two exceptions are specific to each of the two sites:

-Flins site: The new Clio IV has started to be produced in this plant in 2012. Amounts relating to the effective start of Zoe (only small quantities were produced in 2011) will be added in 2013. The carmaker has an ambitious target of 150,000 vehicles per year. However quantities to be expected in 2013 are lower. They should range between 50 000 and 100 000 vehicles.

-Moscow site: Growth relates to the production increase of the Entry range (Logan, Sandero, Duster) into the company Avtoframos (now a 100% subsidiary of Renault) . It is to be noted that this is not an outsourcing, as these vehicles are intended for the Russian market.

Data source: File #105 - Production in Europe by makes and models

Details: Published: 06 September 2022

Volkswagen group: high production increase in Bratislava plant

-European production of the Volkswagen group in Europe in 2012 remained close to the 2011 production.

-The Wolfsburg site reinforces its position as the biggest manufacturing site of the group and even the biggest automobile manufacturing plant in Europe (considering all manufacturers).

-The Ingolstadt site - where mainly Audi cars are produced - holds the second position. However, the production of this site fell sharply in 2012. The main reason is the production fall of Audi A4, due mainly to the decrease in sales of this model in Europe but also Audi’s export decrease in favor of production outside Europe.

-The sites where a production increase can be observed are those of Martorel (Spain), Bratislava (Slovakia), Necckarlsum (Germany) and Leipzig (Germany).

The strongest growth relates to the site of Bratislava. Production increase of the UP model has enabled the plant to more than double the number of vehicles that are produced.