+++ In CHINA , BYD and Geely tie for 10th place in global automotive share. This helps explaining the continuing arguments between the 2 companies, which was kicked off by BYD’s DM-i 5.0 and its fifth generation PHEV technology, which was launched earlier this week. Today Cui Dongshu, secretary general of the China Passenger Car Association, announced the changes in the ranking of Chinese companies in the global market share table. 2024 is the first year that any Chinese brands have broken into the top 10. BYD just missed out in 2023 with 11th place. So far this year both BYD and Geely have 3.5% share. Right behind BYD and Geely this year is Chery in 12th place and managing to increase market share to 3.0% from just 1.9% the year before, possibly helped by the brand’s strong showing in Russia. Changan came in at 14th place. Also featuring in the top 20 were SAIC in 17th position with 1.8% and Great Wall in 18th position with 1.7%. Bottoming out the table which shows the first 25 places were state owned producers FAW, Dongfeng, BAIC and GAC. The only one of these to see much increase in the period from 2016 has been GAC with the others either stagnating or having falling shares. Presumably, 2024 data is for the year up to the end of April. With Geely and BYD breaking away last year as the most successful Chinese brands globally it gives perspective to the current fight over PHEV technology. This all centers around the 3 key figures from the announcement which BYD claims are world beating namely: 46.06% efficiency, 2.9 liter/100 km and 2.100 km. The Chinese Internet is still full of articles about the sparring between the 2 companies over the matter. Initially, the argument centered around who has the most efficient engine. Geely displayed a certificate from the China Automotive Technology and Research Center showing that they had an engine with 46.1% thermal efficiency. BYD responded that its engine was actually in mass production whereas Geely’s wasn’t and later a certificate emerged for a BYD engine with efficiency of 46.5%. Round 1 to BYD. The argument now seems to have moved on to the second BYD claim: 2.9 liter/100 km. Geely vice president and spokesperson Yang Xueling retweeted a Weibo (China’s Twitter equivalent) post questioning the DM-i fuel consumption figure sarcastically adding “It’s really good, I guess the older generation of scientists would think the same way if they were still alive”. The comment is a direct result of the 2.9 l/100 km being because BYD is using the old NEDC standard rather than the WLTC figure. That figure is 3.8 l/100 km. Yang Dongsheng, senior vice president of the BYD Group and the chief designer of DM technology, has countered that NEDC more closely matches the reality in first-tier Chinese cities. Under the NEDC test the average speed is 33 km/h whereas with WLTC it averages as 47 km/h. BYD says that its research showed that the average speed in first-tier cities, like Beijing and Shanghai, is 25 km/h or even as low as 23 km/h and in second-tier cities it is around 30 km/h. BYD goes further and claims that the normal driving speed in China is less than 30 km/h. Round 2 seems perhaps to be a tie, with Geely looking marginally stronger. A number of media tests of the BYD Qin L managed to achieve a range of over 2.100 km although under what conditions this was achieved doesn’t seem to have been outlined. +++
+++ The growing popularity of GENESIS ‘ premium vehicles in South Korea is negatively impacting sales for its 2 major German counterparts, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. This trend comes as the Korean carmaker’s premium positioning strategy has started to create tangible outcomes here and abroad, according to data and industry officials Sunday. Data from the Hyundai Motor Group shows that Genesis’ domestic sales reached 45.554 between January and April; up 6 percent from the previous year. However, Mercedes-Benz Korea’s fell by 17.6 percent during the same period, according to data from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. BMW Korea, which is another beloved imported vehicle brand here, also suffered a sales fall of 5.2 percent for the first 4 months combined. Industry officials said that Genesis was able to achieve the remarkable feat, as it has been able to position itself well as a luxury brand gradually after it made its official debut in 2015. “Genesis was not preferred by customers in young age groups in their 20s and 30s about a decade ago, as they were not the carmaker’s major target customers”, a carmaker official said. “But the brand has made drastic progress in reshaping its brand identity targeting all the age groups with diverse vehicle line-ups”. It was in 2020 when the brand started to attract younger customers by launching 2 luxury SUVs: the GV70 and GV80. The latter debuted in January 2020 and has since achieved accumulated sales of more than 170.000. The GV70, a smaller SUV, also generated sensation, mostly thanks to its young and sleek design features. The growing preference of customers for Genesis vehicles also affected other luxury carmakers. Auto sales for Audi Korea also fell by 74.7 percent during the same period, losing its old glory as 1 of the 3 major German carmakers along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Sales of Lexus also declined by 6.2 percent for a similar reason. Other data from the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association showed that sales of all imported vehicles combined fell by 7.8 percent between January and April from a year earlier. Genesis’ growing sales in the United States also poses a threat to its German rivals. Genesis sold a total of 6.948 vehicles in 2016, but the figure achieved almost tenfold growth to 69.175 in 2023. “The rapid rise of Genesis poses a direct threat to overseas carmakers’ survival here, as most of them suffer a double-digit sales fall and lose more ground to the domestic carmaker”, an official from an imported carmaker said. +++
+++ The more than century-old GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW will be cancelled for good following waning interest from automakers in what was once an unmissable industry event, organizers said Friday. The Qatar edition of the event, however, will continue and take place again in 2025. The first Geneva auto show took place in 1905, attracting 17.000 visitors and had 2 more editions before a hiatus due to an economic crisis and World War I. It resumed in 1923 and reached a peak in 2005, when nearly 750.000 visitors attended the event. The Covid pandemic shut down the show again for 4 years. When it returned earlier this year, there were 37 exhibitors and 168.000 visitors; well below previous editions. In 2019, the year before Covid, it attracted 602.000 visitors and 184 exhibitors. Alexandre de Senarclens, president of the permanent committee of the foundation behind the event, said cancelling the show for good was an “extremely regrettable decision”. “The lack of interest shown by manufacturers in the Geneva Salon in a difficult industry context, the competition from the Paris and Munich shows which are favored by their domestic industry, and the investment levels required to maintain such a show, sound the final blow”, he added. Organisers said they had asked cantonal authorities to dissolve the foundation. “There are too many uncertainties linked to the automotive industry and the eroded attractiveness of the major European shows to take the risk of investing further into the future”, the organisation said in a statement. But the Qatar edition “continues its journey” after a “successful” first edition last year, the statement said. The next Geneva International Motor Show Qatar will take place in Doha in November 2025. +++
+++ Renault and Geely join forces for all new ICE and hybrid powertrain production. Another huge collaboration will see all powertrain development and production between the 2 companies merge into 1 new entity. Renault and Geely have announced a new joint venture to design, development and build combustion and hybrid powertrains. The new entity, called HORSE Powertrain Limited, will collate all of the brands’ powertrain knowhow and manufacturing capacity from across the world, driving down costs and spreading the load as car companies race to retain powertrain diversity in the wake of slowing EV take-up. Both parties will hold a 50 percent share of the company, which will supply engines for Renault Group, Geely Auto, Volvo Cars, Nissan, Mitsubishi and more, through a total of 17 engine plants, to customers across 130 different countries. The new joint entity will handle the design, development and production of combustion engine, transmissions, hybrid systems and batteries, offering a range of different solutions from simple mild-hybrid combinations right up to ‘long-range’ plug-in hybrids which are increasingly popular in the Chinese market. Revenue is expected to be as high as €15 billion per annum, with production capacity for up to 5 million units per year across both the Renault alliance and Geely group. Commenting on the new collaboration, CEO Renault Group Luca de Meo said: “Partnering with a leading company like Geely to create a new player with the capability and expertise to develop ultra-low emission internal combustion engines and high economy hybrid technologies is key for the future”. This type of collaboration for development of new combustion powertrains isn’t just limited to Renault and Geely, with Toyota, Subaru and Mazda also recently announcing its own new collaboration in the design of clean, small and hybrid-focused combustion engines. The new company, announced last July and now officially formed, aims to become the “global leader” in developing, manufacturing and supplying “best-in-class” and highly efficient hybrid, petrol and diesel powertrains as the wider Renault and Geely groups work to electrify their model ranges. Early projections for the joint venture point to an initial annual turnover of €15 billion. De Meo said this “new player” will “disrupt the game” and “open the way” for new ultra-low-emission ICE technologies. +++
+++ With the Avenger, JEEP has entered the world of electric SUVs, and other larger and more expensive battery-powered models are on the way. An increasingly electrified range that could soon extend downwards. Indeed, Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, has said that “very soon” a $25.000 electric Jeep will arrive in the US, in a bid to attract motorists still sceptical about plug-in mobility. Carlos Tavares did not reveal any great details about the new electric Jeep, mentioning only the price of $25.000, in order to replicate what Citroën did with the new electric C3, sold in Italy for €23.900. “Just as we launched the Citroën e-C3 at just over €20.000, very soon you will have a Jeep at $25.000”, said the CEO of Stellantis at an investor conference. The fact that the little French car was mentioned suggests that the future electric Jeep will also be based on the Smart Car platform, which will also serve as the basis for the new electric Fiat Panda and other low-cost electric models from Stellantis. However, one question remains. How big will the new Jeep be? And will it also arrive in Europe? In terms of dimensions, the Smart Car platform allows for different lengths. The new C3 is 4.01 metres long, while the new C3 Aircross is 4.39 metres. As far as sales on the Old Continent are concerned, we know that small, compact SUVs are very popular on the market, but the presence of the Avenger (4.08 metres) and the Renegade (4.23 metres) could create some very fierce domestic competition. All we can do now is wait. As I said, Jeep’s electric strategy is about to expand. The new Wagoneer S, based on Stellantis’ STLA Large platform, was just revealed. Next up should be the Recon, a sort of electric version of the Wrangler, with strong off-road capabilities. +++
+++ Bright rays of sunlight shone through the roof Thursday morning at the assembly building of PORSCHE ’s manufacturing plant in Leipzig, Germany, enlivening the atmosphere of the busy production site. The German sports carmaker’s Leipzig plant shattered the traditional image of auto factories being rather grey and stifling. As the sunlight lifted the mood of the workplace, the workers at the Leipzig plant moved swiftly and meticulously. “The employees are working on the principle of rotation”, said Frank Reichel, a customer care official at Porsche. “They change their station from hour to hour. With this rotation, we avoid them getting bored”. The vending machines installed a few steps away from the assembly lines were one of the most noticeable features that reflected how Porsche aimed to prioritize the welfare of its employees. There were also couches and tables set up next to the production lines. “These areas are so-called ‘Team Islands’ for the employees”, said Reichel. “They can use these areas for team meetings, for breaks and so on”. According to the official, the average age of the factory employees at the Leipzig site is 40 years old, which is considered much younger when compared to the average age of factory workers at other auto brands. The total number of employees at Porsche Leipzig is estimated at 4,600, including administrative workers. Another feature of the Leipzig plant was the level of automation. It boasts a nearly 90 percent automatization rate in the body and paint shops. Overall, nearly 2,000 robots are working in the production line. The overhead conveyor system kept carrying big auto parts such as engines and powertrains as well as vehicle bodies and assembled vehicles (the Macan and Panamera) as the factory is the automaker’s sole site that can produce them. The Leipzig plant is capable of producing 550 vehicles per day with the production of the Macan and Panamera taking 48 and 60 hours, respectively. Of the total production, 40 percent is delivered to the Asia and Pacific region, 30 percent to Europe and 26 percent to North America. “The 3 different types of cars (internal combustion, hybrid and electric) are on the same line all the time so it’s highly flexible production”, said Reichel. The Leipzig plant began operation in 2002 as the second Porsche production site after the company’s headquarters in Stuttgart. It commemorated the 2-millionth Porsche vehicle to be built there in April last year. The Porsche factory in Leipzig received the Factory of the Year award from the assessment by Kearney, an American global management consulting firm; Suddeutscher Verlag Veranstaltungen, a German event management firm; and Produktion, a German trade magazine, in March this year. The sports car manufacturer’s plant came on top among nearly 100 factories worldwide. +++
+++ The RENAULT GROUP has been reshaping its brand with a strong emphasis on the balanced design of analog and digital elements, led by the group’s Design Vice President Gilles Vidal, a renowned figure in automotive design. Renault’s design transformation began in 2021 with the introduction of its “Nouvelle Vague” brand strategy, meaning “new wave” in French, aiming to craft the next generation of stylish, modern vehicles for Renault. This effort bore fruit when the Renault Scenic E-Tech was named European Car of the Year 2024 at the Geneva Motor Show. Gilles Vidal is central to Renault’s design evolution. Born in France in 1972, he studied at the Art Center College of Design in Switzerland. His career began at Citroën, where he contributed to models like Berlingo and Saxo. He then moved to Peugeot, where as Design Director, he led a substantial design overhaul, introducing more dynamic and visually appealing models. Vidal joined Renault in November 2020, and his first major project was the Scenic Vision concept car. This concept car emphasized sustainability and innovation, pointing to the future direction of design for Renault. He also led the design of the 5 E-Tech, an electric vehicle that combines Renault’s historical design elements with the latest technology and trends. In April, Vidal visited Korea to articulate his design philosophy, which prioritizes staying adaptable to future design trends and incorporating new technologies as assets rather than seeing them as competitors. He believes in creating consistent designs where the car’s front, proportions and interior details are all in sync, and emphasizes a warm and inviting interior for occupants, as drivers spend significant time inside their vehicles. To achieve this, he uses a mixture of materials and avoids over-reliance on digital screens, advocating a balance between analog and digital elements. He leads Renault’s global design strategy and co-manages the Renault Design Center Seoul in Korea and the Renault Design Center LatAm in Brazil, responsible for developing future flagship models for global markets. Vidal commended the contributions of Korean designers during the April interview. “Korean designers bring a thoughtful and passionate perspective to their work, and their execution is incredibly disciplined and well-organized”, he said. +++
+++ Elon Musk had inside knowledge of a miss on TESLA production and delivery numbers when he sold $7.5 billion in stock in 2022, a shareholder claimed in a lawsuit. Tesla’s chief executive had non-public information that Tesla would miss the fourth-quarter targets that year when he sold the shares, Tesla investor Michael Perry alleged in a complaint filed Thursday at the Delaware Chancery Court. “Musk profited from his misconduct and his exploitation of material and adverse inside information”, the suit alleged. Perry asked a judge to order Musk to return the profit from his allegedly improper trading to the company. +++
+++ Popular models from TOYOTA ’s early days were paraded at the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology in Nishi Ward, Nagoya, on Saturday. Visitors cheered and photographed the elegantly designed vehicles as they drove slowly by at the venue. The parade was part of an event for the 30th anniversary of the museum and showed off replicas of vehicles normally displayed in the museum. The cars on parade included a replica of the Model G1 Truck, the first car built in 1935 by Toyoda Automatic Loom Works Ltd. (the predecessor of Toyota) and the Toyoda Model AA, the first passenger car Toyota produced that launched in 1936. The first-generation Celica and Celsior (Toyota’s version of the first generation Lexus LS) models were also shown. “The shape of the cars looked good,” said a car-loving three-year-old boy. He visited the exhibition with his family from Nakamura Ward, Nagoya. +++
+++ The TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION said Thursday its global production for April fell 4.0 percent from a year earlier to 756.254 vehicles, marking the third straight month of decline, as the automaker halted production of the Prius due to a recall. Domestic production dropped 7.9 percent to 251.485 units as Toyota announced production of the popular gasoline-electric vehicle will be halted until it can resolve a door handle issue. The Japanese automaker said earlier this month it will restart production of the Prius in mid-June as it has secured enough parts to fix the problem. A halt caused by an unscheduled inspection of its minivan production line also contributed to the decline in total output. Production outside of Japan fell 1.9 percent to 504.769 cars, as the rise in North America failed to make up for a drop in China, which logged a 24.9 percent decrease due to increased competition. Global sales inched down 0.5 percent to 797.097 units as robust results in North America and Europe were offset by weaker sales in China and Japan. Sales in Japan fell 13.9 percent to 107.947 cars, impacted by the production halts. Overseas sales rose 2.0 percent to 689.150 units. +++
+++ Geely’s ZEEKR brand has announced that the 007 Performance achieved a lap time 1:41.740 at the Zhejiang Circuit. It surpasses the Xiaomi SU7 (1:42.163) to become the fifth fastest fully electric car. This performance places the Zeekr 007 Performance ahead of the Porsche Taycan Turbo S and Tesla Model S Plaid, ranking it 48th overall on the FIA-approved Zhejiang International Circuit. The Zhejiang Circuit was designed by Apex Circuit Design and approved by the FIA as a Grade 2 circuit. It spans 3.2 kilometers and features a 22-meter elevation. It can be divided into 2 tracks, East and West, and includes 16 turns with varying angles and elevations. The 4-wheeldrive performance version of the Zeekr 007 delivers 646 hp and 710 Nm. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.84 seconds. It features 20-inch rims, high-performance tires, and a carbon fiber rear active diffuser. Unlike its siblings, the Zeekr 007 Performance has enhanced stabilizer bars and stiffer suspensions (40% front, 25.5% rear) to improve dynamic control, aided by a CCD electromagnetic vibration reduction system for real-time adjustments. The TCS traction control reduces wheel slip, while Akebono calipers and Brembo discs ensure stable braking, with a stopping distance of 34.4 meters from 100 km/h. The model has a “Kung Fu Yellow” exterior, a suede interior with orange stitching and 18-way adaptive racing seats. The cockpit includes an exclusive HMI interface. The Zeekr 007 station wagon is reportedly in the works after Zeekr was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in the US, raising 441 million on the IPO. This injection of funds will enable Zeekr to expand into international markets and diversify its product lineup. Zeekr’s current models include 001, 007, 009 and X. +++
