In the first four months of 2023, more than 180 000 vehicles were imported from China
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In the first four months of 2023, more than 180 000 vehicles were imported from China
- According to Inovev, 182,864 vehicles were imported into Europe (Europe 29 countries including the United Kingdom) from China in the first quarter of 2023. This quantity is the sum of vehicles produced by Chinese local carmakers in China (99,057 units or 54% of vehicles imported, compared to 48,946 in the first quarter of 2022 - an increase of 102%) and vehicles produced in China by foreign carmakers (83,807 units or 46% of imported vehicles, compared to 76,188 in the first quarter of 2022 - an increase of 10%).
It should be noted that all of the 182,864 vehicles imported represent 4.4% of the European market (Europe 29 including the United Kingdom) during the period considered.
It should be noted that all of the 182,864 vehicles imported represent 4.4% of the European market (Europe 29 including the United Kingdom) during the period considered.
- The analysis of Chinese brands has largely been made in a previous analysis (Auto Analysis of 08/03/2023).
- For models from non-Chinese brands, we can list the Tesla Model Y (35,133 sales from China), Tesla Model 3 (21,207 sales), Dacia Spring (16,110 sales), BMW iX3 (5,534 sales), Citroën C5 X (4,118 sales), Volvo S90 (858 sales), Smart 01 (634 sales), DS 9 (213 sales).
- At this rate, Europe (Europe 29 including the United Kingdom) could import more than 500,000 cars from China over the whole of 2023, which would represent 5% of the European passenger car market. This pace could still accelerate with the arrival of new Chinese models, with the rise of the Smart 01, with the start of the electric Mini Cooper and the Volvo EX30, etc... On the other hand, the ramp-up of the Tesla factory in Berlin could gradually reduce the number of Tesla Model Y models sold in Europe and imported from China.
Ora Lightning Cat, a new Chinese car to enter the European market
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Ora Lightning Cat, a new Chinese car to enter the European market
- The Ora brand is part of the Great Wall group, one of the four largest independent Chinese carmakers (after BYD, Geely and Changan), and this Ora brand is focused on battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
- After the launch last year of the Ora Funky Cat (BEV C-segment sedan of 4.24 m) which began to be sold in Europe (562 sales in the first four months of 2023), the Great Wall group completes its European offer with a 4.87 m BEV D-segment sedan named Ora Lightning Cat.
- This new sedan, with a style resembling to the Porsche Panamera, is this time attacking the top of the range, but with a price advantage of around 10,000 to 15,000 euros.
- The Ora Lightning Cat is equipped with a choice of 150 kW or 300 kW electric motor and an 82 kWh capacity lithium-ion ferrous phosphate battery which would allow it a range of 450 km according to the WLTP cycle. The curb weight of the car is 2,185 kilos.
- This new battery electric Chinese sedan will try to compete the Tesla Model 3. For this, the Ora Lightning Cat offers high-end equipment, such as a transparent roof that extends up to in the rear trunk, a level 3 autonomous or an assistance system based on artificial intelligence which monitors the temperature of the cabin. This new Chinese sedan is assembled in China, in the city of Taizhou (Zhejiang province).
Inovev forecasts 250,000 units per year of the new thermal BMW 5 Series
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Inovev forecasts 250,000 units per year of the new thermal BMW 5 Series
- BMW currently produces two models in the E-segment, both thermal and PHEV: the 5 Series sedan and the X5/X6 SUV. A third model will complete this segment, the i5 electric vehicle, based on the 5 Series, scheduled for fall 2023. This analysis concerns the new thermal 5 Series sedan.
- The eighth generation of the 5 Series, eternal competitor of the Audi A6 and Mercedes E-Class, has just been unveiled. This new 5 Series (code G60), 5.06 m long (+10 cm compared to the previous model) will still be produced in Germany (Dingolfing) and China (Shenyang). Interestingly, since 2019, the 5 Series has been produced more in China (but not imported to Europe) than in Germany. The new model will be available in a thermal version and in a battery electric version named i5. This i5 will complete the Bavarian brand's range of BEVs made up of the i4, i7, iX, iX1 and iX3, the i3 model having been discontinued at the beginning of this year.
- The thermal engines of the 5 Series are 2-liter petrol and diesel, like its competitor the Mercedes E-Class, and as for the E-Class, they will be available in mild-hybrid (MHEV) or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions. The carmaker claims CO2 emissions of between 130 g/km and 144 g/km, down from the previous model. A Touring station wagon is scheduled for 2024, replacing the old Touring versions. Mercedes also offers a station wagon on its E-Class range.
- In terms of production volume, the 5 Series reached a pic in the 2012-2015 years with a volume of 350,000 units per year, then the model experienced a slow but steady decline until 2022 when the model did not exceeded 250,000 units produced. Inovev is forecasting 250,000 new BMW 5 Series produced worldwide per year, not marking any progress compared to the previous generation because the years 2023-2030 will not be good years for thermal engine sedans. The BMW i5 on its side should gradually reach 45,000 units per year in Europe by 2030.
Stellantis threatens to close its two UK assembly plants
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Stellantis threatens to close its two UK assembly plants
- The Stellantis group announced last year that it would produce battery electric vehicles at the Ellesmere Port site (United Kingdom) which was to cease production of the Opel Astra, transferred to Russelsheim in Germany, at the same time than the one produced in Gliwice in Poland.
- Production of the Opel Astra stopped in April 2022 at the Ellesmere Port site, but production of BEVs at this plant has not yet started. In fact, the Citroën Berlingo, Opel Combo, Peugeot Partner, Toyota Proace City and Fiat Doblo with electric engines (these are all light utility vehicles based on the same body with a few aesthetic details allowing each brand to be identified) do not have still started at the Ellesmere Port site. In 2023, these vehicles will therefore still be produced as before at the Spanish plant of Vigo.
- Stellantis Group said this month that new Brexit trade rules on the origin of parts to be applied in 2024 no longer allow Stellantis to produce battery electric vehicles at the Ellesmere Port plant. This new trading rule provides that 45% of the value of a battery electric vehicle must come from Great Britain, in order to avoid additional customs duties.
- As a result, the Stellantis group denounces the unprofitability of this production: "If the cost of producing electric vehicles in the United Kingdom becomes uncompetitive, operations will be closed". It is therefore open to wonder about the future of the Ellesmere Port plant, and by extension of Luton which produces the Opel Vivaro whose production could be easily transferred to the French site of Valenciennes.
Some car brands could exit the Chinese market
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Some car brands could exit the Chinese market
- While the production volume of passenger cars in China increased by 8% between the first quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023, several brands saw their production volume drop sharply during this period, which could suggest that some brands are gradually exiting the Chinese market, in favor of Chinese local brands. We can define two groups of brands in strong decline on the Chinese market: on one hand most Japanese and Korean brands, and on the other, a certain number of American and European brands.
- Japanese and Korean brands.
Hyundai's production volume fell by 13% between the first quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023, Honda by 17%, Nissan by 20%, Mazda by 45%, Kia by 53%, Infiniti by 56%, Mitsubishi by 74%. As for Suzuki, its production was definitively stopped in December 2022.
Hyundai's production volume fell by 13% between the first quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023, Honda by 17%, Nissan by 20%, Mazda by 45%, Kia by 53%, Infiniti by 56%, Mitsubishi by 74%. As for Suzuki, its production was definitively stopped in December 2022.
- American and European brands.
Cadillac's production volume fell by 17%, DS by 19%, Peugeot by 28%, Citroën by 34%, Lincoln by 45%, Skoda by 69%. As for Jeep, its production was permanently halted in June 2022.
Cadillac's production volume fell by 17%, DS by 19%, Peugeot by 28%, Citroën by 34%, Lincoln by 45%, Skoda by 69%. As for Jeep, its production was permanently halted in June 2022.
- It should be noted that the Wuling firm accounted in the American group GM saw its production drop by 45% due to the fall in sales of the Hongguang Mini EV which had nevertheless become the best-selling car in China in 2021 and 2022. The reasons of this fall are currently being analysed by Inovev.