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Published: 15 July 2021

• Production
• Toyota
• Americas
• Asia
• Japan
• Canada

Inovev forecasts 200,000 units per year of the new Lexus NX

- The Lexus brand (premium brand of the Toyota group) has unveiled its new D-segment SUV, the Lexus NX, which is an equivalent of the Toyota RAV4 as these two models share the same platform and engines. This is why the new Lexus NX is now available in a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version, like the Toyota RAV4, while previously all Lexus models were full hybrids. This has also been a specific specificity of the brand, which is disappearing because in addition to this new plug-in hybrid version, the Lexus brand has been marketing a UX model (C-segment SUV) with a battery electric version since last year.

- The new Lexus NX competes with D-segment SUVs from premium brands, such as the BMW X3, Audi Q5, Mercedes GLC, Volvo XC60 and Porsche Macan. Lexus could have gone even further in innovation by offering a battery electric powered NX to compete against the electric BMW iX3, Audi Q4 E-Tron, Mercedes EQC and future Porsche eMacan. Maybe this version will be launched next year.

- The Lexus NX will still be proposed in a full hybrid (HEV) version, with a 2.5-liter 239 hp, called the NX 350h. There will therefore be the plug-in hybrid version (PHEV) called 450h, as well as the 203 hp petrol version (NX 250) and the 275 hp turbo petrol version (NX 350).

- These petrol versions were specially developed for the North American market, as the Lexus NX will be produced for the first time in Canada (at Cambridge) in addition to Japan (Miyawaka). Inovev forecasts a volume of 200,000 sales per year of the new Lexus NX thanks to an extension of its range (PHEV and gasoline) and of its production location.

    

 

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Read more... Inovev forecasts 200,000 units per year of the new Lexus NX

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Published: 07 July 2021

• Production
• Volkswagen
• Czech Republic

Inovev forecasts 150,000 units per year of the new Skoda Fabia

- Czech firm Skoda has unveiled the new generation of its B-segment sedan, the Fabia. This model, based on the MQB-A platform, like the Volkswagen Polo, Seat Ibiza and Audi A1, has suffered an erosion of its sales for several years, in particular due to the growing competition from B-segment SUVs, like the Skoda Kamiq or the Volkswagen T-Cross. Production of the Fabia, which peaked at 250,000 units in 2008, gradually fell to 200,000 units in 2011, then 150,000 in 2019 and 100,000 in 2020.

- The new model to be marketed in January 2022 intends to compete with European B-segment mainstream cars, such as the Volkswagen Polo, Seat Ibiza, Ford Fiesta, Opel Corsa, Renault Clio, Peugeot 208, Citroën C3, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Micra, Hyundai i20 and Kia Rio mainly. With the end of the Skoda Citigo, the Fabia becomes the smallest and cheapest model in the Czech carmaker's lineup. The length of the car does not exceed 4.10 m.

- Skoda keeps petrol engines on the Fabia: a 1.0 TSI and a 1.5 TSI, but has given up on diesel, like most carmakers in this segment. No battery electric version either, as this technology will be dedicated to future Skoda versions derived from Volkswagen ID 1 and ID 2 scheduled for 2025.

- Inovev expects 150,000 units per year of the new Fabia, production being carried out at the Czech plant of Mlada Boleslav as before.

    

 

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Read more... Inovev forecasts 150,000 units per year of the new Skoda Fabia

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Published: 15 July 2021

• Registrations

The European market by segments and by body type in 2020

- The European automotive market fell by 24.3% in 2020, in the category of passenger cars. This sharp drop (much larger than that recorded at the global level) was the consequence of the pandemic which struck many countries last year, forcing carmakers to close their production plants and dealers network for several weeks or even months. Has this decline favoured certain vehicle segments or certain bodywork, or is it quite naturally the novelty effect which has caused sales of certain category to evolve? It would appear that this 24.3% drop in car sales in Europe did not have an impact on vehicle segmentation, as there is no disruption in the segment distribution. The few changes that can be observed are mainly the consequence of the novelty effect (new model launches), sales by country not providing additional information.

- In 2020, the most demanded segment therefore remains the C-segment (37.5% against 38.1% in 2019), ahead of B-segment (34.6% against 33.4% in 2019) which seems to have grabbed market share on both A-segment (by B-segment sedans) and C-segment (by B-segment SUVs). The D-segment is clearly separated (14.7% against 14.2% in 2019), ahead of A-segments (6.4% against 7.7% in 2019) and E (6.2% against 6.0% in 2019). The F segment remains stable at 0.7%.

- By body type, SUVs represent 39.3% of the European market in 2020 against 38% in 2019, MPVs having fallen to 3.1% against 4.1% in 2019. The category of passenger transport versions of LUV is stable at 1.7%. Sedans and station wagons represent a little more than half of the European market, with coupes and convertibles representing a marginal share in sales.

    

 

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Read more... The European market by segments and by body type in 2020

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Published: 07 July 2021

• Production
• Registrations
• Germany
• BMW

The BMW 6 Series does not meet the carmaker's sales objectives

- The BMW 6 Series launched at the end of 2018 has completely changed its positioning compared to the older generation, whose origins date back to 2011. It is no longer a sporty model, available as a coupe, convertible and sedan (Gran Coupe) but rather the successor of the 5 Series GT, meaning a family sedan, with five doors and six side windows, derived from the four-door Series 5 sedan. So this intermediate model between the 5 Series sedan and the 5 Series station wagon did not convince more than the previous 5 Series GT with five doors.

- The peak of sales was reached in January and February 2019, with just over 2,500 units per month, or an annual rate of around 25,000 units, but sales collapsed in March 2019. They fell from 2 300 units in March 2019 to 1,650 in June 2019, 1,200 in December 2019, then less than 1,000 units per month in 2020. Without taking into account the month when the plants were closed, in April 2020 (due to the coronavirus), the sales rate for the 6 Series GT was around 600 units per month, i.e. an annual rate of around 7,000 units, far from the 25,000 expected at the start of 2019.

- In 2021, the 6 Series GT does not improve its scores, the monthly pace being rather below 500 sales, and it is evident that the continuity of this model is not sure with such a low sales volume.

- By comparison, the 8 Series, which takes the philosophy of the old 6 Series (coupe, convertible, low sedan), shows a sales rate of 3,000 units per month in 2021, slightly higher than what was recorded in 2020.

    

 

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Read more... The BMW 6 Series does not meet the carmaker's sales objectives