Japanese market grows by 15.8% in 2023 compared to 2022
The Japanese passenger cars market experienced a recovery in 2023, of around 15.8% compared to 2022, with a volume of 3,992,728 units compared to 3,448,298 in 2022, 3,675,698 in 2021 and 3,809,981 in 2020. In Japan too, the recovery of missed sales from the 2020-2022 period was only partial, as nearly 2 million units lost were only compensated by a growth of 500,000 units, in 2023, meaning a quarter of what would have been needed.
 
However, the Japanese automobile market came very close to the 4 million unit mark last year, while remaining below the volumes reached between 2012 and 2019, which were between 4.2 million and 4.7 million units. The year 2022 seems to have reach the bottom with a volume of nearly 3.5 million units equivalent to the 2011 year, when Japan was hit by a tsunami causing major damage. The year 2024 should show a small increase in sales compared to 2023.
 
By carmaker, the Toyota group (Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu) still represents almost half of new cars sold in Japan (48% in 2023), far ahead of Honda (14%), Suzuki (13%), Nissan (10%) and Mazda (4%). If Suzuki is well ahead of Nissan (former number 2 in the last quarter of the 20th century), it is due to its small cars which represent half of the Kei Cars sold in Japan. And today, this market segment represents a third of the Japanese market, explaining the position of Suzuki (and its competitor Daihatsu, owned by Toyota) in this market. Imports have represented 6% of the Japanese market for around twenty years, and we will still be in this share in 2023.
Russian market grows by 36.3% in 2023 compared to 2022
The Russian passenger cars market experienced a small recovery in 2023, after the collapse observed in 2022 mainly due to Russia's involvement in the war in Ukraine and Western countries economic sanctions which resulted in the shutdown production, sales and imports of European, Japanese and Korean cars.
 
From 687,370 new passenger cars registered in 2022, the market recorded 937,081 sales in 2023, representing an increase of 36.3%. However, the war in Ukraine is not over and economic sanctions against Russia continue. We are still very far from the figures recorded in previous years, such as 1,666,780 units in 2021 or 1,759,532 in 2019. And even further from the 2012 record with almost 3 million units.
 
With the departure of European, Japanese and Korean brands, the Russian market is completely changing its physiognomy. Indeed, if Avtovaz (Lada), which becomes independent again in 2022, returns to its traditional level (with nearly 40% market share), Chinese automobile brands have gradually taken the place of European, Japanese and Korean brands. In 2023, they represented 49% of the Russian market, compared to 18% in 2022 and 7% in 2021. Nearly 460,000 Chinese cars were registered in Russia in 2023. This massive arrival of Chinese cars in Russia made it possible to restock and to restart the market, and to partially “catch up” the missed sales in 2022. It is mainly the Chery brands (45% of Chinese car sales), Great Wall (30%) and Geely (20%) which currently represent almost all sales of Chinese cars in Russia.
Toyota plant in Onnaing consolidates its position as the leading production plant in France in 2023
According to Inovev, automobile production in France would have increased slightly in 2023 compared to 2022, by around 2% to reach 1.41 million passenger cars and light utility vehicles, compared to 1.385 million units in 2022.
 
Regardless of the fact that the relocation in France of models is still awaited, several reasons explain this fragile growth of the production in France.
1. At Stellantis, the end of the Peugeot 3008 current generation of the and the recent start of the recent Peugeot 408.
The DS3 and DS7 remain at a very low level, reflecting the difficulties of French carmakers in the Premium market.
2. At Renault, the end of the Scénic and Zoé current generation, as well as the Nissan Micra, and the modest success of the recent Mégane E-Tech. We can add the difficult start of the Renault Kangoo (opposed by the Renault Express) but fortunately helped by the Nissan Townstar and Mercedes Citan / T Class.
3. At Smart, the end of Fortwo current generation and the modest success of the Ineos Grenadier.
4. At Toyota, the transfer of the Yaris to the Czech Republic is successfully offset by the good results of the Yaris Cross which consolidates its position as the most produced car in France. Thanks to this success, the Toyota plant in Onnaing consolidates its position as the leading production plant in France, with a volume of 273,788 vehicles produced in 2023 compared to 255,584 in 2022. We do not see how this position could be questioned in 2024.
Chinese market grows by 10.2% in 2023 compared to 2022
The Chinese passenger cars market returned to growth from 2021 after three years of decline. It reached the record of 25.9 million units in 2023 compared to 23.6 million in 2022, 21.5 million in 2021 and 20.2 million in 2020. The 30 million units may probably be reached in 2025. Last year, China remained by far the world's largest automobile market, ahead of Europe and the United States. It also remains by far the leading market for BEVs and plug-in hybrids (PHEV). Out of 25.9 million passenger car sales in 2023, there are 6,132,487 BEV sales (or 23.7% of the market) and 2,735,656 PHEV sales (10.6% of the market).
 
By carmakers, we have observed for several years the declining influence of foreign carmakers (especially European), facing the increasing Chinese carmakers who now hold 55% of the Chinese market compared to 40% in 2020.
 
The progression of Chinese brands, which was pushed by the growth of BEV and PHEV sales, particularly helping the BYD group which caught up with the “leader” Volkswagen group, with 13% market share for each of the two carmakers. BYD sold 3 million vehicles in China last year, including 53% BEV and 47% PHEV, while Volkswagen also sold 3 million vehicles but only 6% BEV and 1% PHEV. The Europeans' delay in electric motorization is obvious and could amplify their decline over the coming years.
 
Behind Volkswagen and BYD, GM (8%) is followed by Geely (8%) and Toyota (7%) is followed by Chery (7%). Tesla occupies 4% of the Chinese market, while Stellantis completely disappears from the Chinese market.
Turkish market grows by 63.2% in 2023 compared to 2022
The Turkish passenger cars market experienced record sales growth in 2023, of around 63.2% compared to 2022, with a volume of 967,341 passenger cars compared to 592,660 in 2022, 561,853 in 2021 and 610,109 in 2020. The Turkish market may have benefited last year from an anticipation of sales due to the announcement of the increase in 2024 of the credit rates, the price of vehicles and taxes relating to the purchase of new vehicles, a situation also amplified by catching up of missed sales during the 2020-2022 period.
 
In addition, the price of used cars, often higher than that of new cars, has encouraged Turkish customers to switch to new vehicles. For 2024, Turkish economic organizations are forecasting a decline in the automobile market of around 30% due to the numerous anticipated purchases in 2023. This would result in a volume of around 675,000 new cars.
 
By carmakers, the Stellantis group remains the leader of the Turkish market in 2023, with 31% of market share, thanks to its Fiat brand which has been omnipresent in Turkey since the 1960s (Fiat alone occupies 13% of the Turkish market in 2023 ). The Stellantis group, made up of its 14 brands, is well ahead of the Renault group (Renault, Dacia, Alpine) which represents 16% of the Turkish market, half as much as its competitor. The Renault group is closely followed by the Volkswagen group which also occupies 16% of the Turkish market. Behind, we note the presence of the Hyundai-Kia group (8% market share) and Chinese carmakers (6%).
 
The national brand Togg occupies 2% of the market, with 20,000 sales. Note that local production represents a third of passenger car sales and half of light utility vehicle sales.
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