+++ AUDI had a disappointing 2024 as sales declined 11.8% to 1.671.218 units. German sales dropped a staggering 21.3%, while the company also posted declines in China, North America and Europe. If that wasn’t bad enough, the company’s bet on electric vehicles isn’t paying off. Despite launching the new Q6 e-Tron, EV sales fell 8% to more than 164.000 units. Most customers opted for the affordable Q4 e-Tron, which generated nearly 108.000 sales. Since its market launch in the third quarter, the new Q6 e-Tron has recorded almost 15.000 deliveries. In addition to the all-electric models, the Q5 (298.000 units), the A6 (244.000 units) and the Q3 (215.000 units) were popular. Audi Sport delivered more than 41.000 high-performance vehicles worldwide in 2024; a decrease of around 14 percent. At around 466.000 vehicles, the delivery figures in Europe (excluding Germany) were almost 6 percent down on the previous year. The number of electric vehicles delivered was just under 81.000 units (up 6 percent). The A3 (84.000 units), the Q3 (79.000 units) and the Q4 e-Tron (57.000 units) were the most popular models sold in Europe. In Germany, Audi delivered 198.000 vehicles (minus 21 percent) of which 22.000 were fully electric vehicles (minus 33 percent). Audi sold almost 241.000 units (down 13 percent) in North America in 2024, including almost 29.000 fully electric vehicles (down 6 percent). In the highly competitive Chinese market, Audi handed over more than 649.000 cars to customers. This corresponds to a decrease of around 11 percent compared to the previous year. In the overseas and growth markets, Audi delivered over 116.000 vehicles in 2024 (minus 18 percent). Those numbers aren’t great and Audi blames the declines on “challenging economic conditions, an intensely competitive market, and limited availability of parts”. The automaker went onto note they’re in the process of updating their line-up and this has only had a gradual impact on sales. As CEO Gernot Döllner explained, “2024 was part of a transitional phase as we move towards our new product portfolio”. He added, “With a clear product and technology road map, Audi is systematically rejuvenating its product portfolio with over 20 new models in 2024 and 2025”. Last year saw the introduction of the new A5 and Q5 as well as the A6 and Q6 e-trons. The product offensive continues in 2025 with the new Q3 and A7. Audi added we can expect “numerous new plug-in hybrids as well”. While the company didn’t have much to say about the upcoming models, the Q3 was spied virtually undisguised in September. It sports a more expressive design with a curvaceous front fascia and a wide mesh grille. They’re joined by split headlights, flowing bodywork, and a more dynamic greenhouse. Under the hood, we can expect an assortment of gas, diesel, and plug-in hybrid powertrains. The A7 will be a more radical departure as it transitions to become the A6 successor. As part of this change, the sleek Sportback will be replaced by a traditional sedan, a practical wagon and a capable Allroad variant. +++
+++ The CUPRA LEON will go fully electric for its next generation as the Spanish brand looks to futureproof the nameplate. Arriving at the start of the next decade, the new Leon will be the fourth EV from the Volkswagen Group brand. It will join the forthcoming €27.000 (Dutch pricing) Raval, the Volkswagen ID.5-twinned Tavascan and the ID.3-based Born, which is likely to enter a new generation just before the electric Leon arrives. Before then, the current Leon, available with pure-ICE and plug-in hybrid powertrains, will be updated in line with upcoming Euro 7 emission regulations. This will allow the car to continue “well into the next decade” alongside the related Formentor, boss Wayne Griffiths told. “The Leon and Formentor are both based on the same platform”, said Griffiths. “We will extend those well into the next decade. If we want to go into the next decade, then we’re always going to have to take care of those cars and revitalise them. We could expect facelifts or product improvements on both, to keep them going as long as we need to”. He added: “After that, the next generation of Leon will definitely be electric”. That EV will sit on VW’s new SSP platform, which will underpin everything from superminis to sports cars from the end of the decade. This will allow the Leon to keep a similar size to the current car and slot in below the rakish Tavascan in Cupra’s EV line-up. It is also thought that the Leon could become exclusively a Cupra model, allowing Seat to focus on smaller, more affordable cars in conventional segments. According to Griffiths, such a move would enable Cupra to move further upmarket and focus on plug-in hybrids and ultimately pure EVs. The launch next year of heavily updated versions of the Ibiza and Arona (two of Seat’s stalwart models as well as its bestsellers) is expected to signal the start of the brand’s repositioning. These updates, complete with hybrid technology, will allow the cars to meet the strict Euro 7 regulations as well as future-proof them for sale into the next decade. It means mild-hybrid engines will be offered; a significant investment for smaller and less profitable models but a necessary step to continue selling affordable new cars to the mass market, where EV demand has yet to take off. “We, like Volkswagen has done with the Polo, want to extend the life cycles of those products, not only with the Euro 7, but also with hybridisation as well, because that’s what’s missing there: hybrid models”, said Griffiths. It is possible that Seat versions of the Ateca and Leon will be dropped when they are revised, should Seat’s role as a specialist in small, affordable hybrid cars be solidified off the back of the Ibiza and Arona updates. Griffiths said the investments in the Ibiza and Arona should not be seen as Seat and Cupra backing away from EVs. Instead, it was the reality of a “need to respond to the 90% of the market that is asking for other types of drivetrains: efficient petrol ones, hybrids and plug-in hybrids”. He added: “We’re not going to deviate from electrification as a direction. We don’t question the objective of getting to zero emissions as fast as possible. We have to be flexible on the way and we can’t be dogmatic. We can’t force consumers to drive electric cars”. The arrival of the Raval at the end of 2025 as a €27.500 EV (along with the Volkswagen ID.2 and Skoda Epiq siblings Cupra is also developing) will help to democratise electromobility, according to Griffiths. “Having smaller urban electric cars under €27.500, I think we’re going to see electric cars taking off”, he said. “But in the meantime, we have to offer both EVs and non-EVs. “We’re looking to have 2 brands: Cupra clearly focusing on fully electric and electrified, and Seat focusing on combustion. I think we have the best of both worlds currently”. +++
+++ MAZDA recently celebrated a milestone when it surpassed 400.000 vehicle sales in the U.S., but the Hiroshima-based automaker isn’t resting on its laurels as it shifts its focus toward electrification. While the CX-50 marks Mazda’s first hybrid offering, the company has announced ambitious plans to develop, build and enhance battery technology in the years ahead. The company has recently set plans into motion to build a new manufacturing plant in Iwakuni City, Japan, with the sole task of producing EV batteries to be supplied by Panasonic. The cylindrical modules will be used to power Mazda’s first dedicated EV platform, as the company promises “advanced design, superior convenience, and extended driving ranges”. Mazda has not revealed any technical stats about what it hopes the battery modules will achieve, but it anticipates the finished factory achieving a yearly production capacity of ten gigawatt hours. The brand’s CEO, Masahiro Moro, says that the in-house development of its first EV architecture will be finished by 2027. Mazda is also developing high-density lithium-ion batteries that it hopes will be used in plug-in hybrids by 2030. In addition to lithium-ion batteries, the company has announced intentions to research and develop solid-state batteries for future models. Their reputation for producing affordable, gasoline-powered vehicles presents an interesting dynamic as it ventures into the premium electric vehicle market. The strategy for harmonizing these distinct product lines, particularly given the undefined timeline for their EV rollout, remains to be seen. Mazda’s first foray into BEVs has been a mixed bag. The MX-30 didn’t do so well due to its poor range. The Mazda6e has been reborn as a rebadged Deepal L07, a Chinese sedan that has its sights set on Europe. +++
+++ The new MERCEDES CLA will debut in March 2025 and will debut the star’s new, more powerful and feature-rich operating system, including Google Cloud’s new Automotive AI Agent. This is the voice assistant for cars developed by the Mountain View giant, which integrates Gemini, Google’s artificial intelligence. A collaboration that will allow the new CLA to exploit Google Maps in a new way, all without having to touch the infotainment monitor or other controls. As is already the case with the voice assistant in Mercedes’ MBUX system, driver and passengers will be able to talk to the infotainment system. The main difference will lie in ‘how’ they will talk and the answers that will be given. In fact, Google’s Automotive AI Agent, fully integrated into Google Maps, will allow real conversations, to search for nearby places or route information. It will be possible, for example, to ask “Can you guide me to the nearest restaurant for a unique dining experience?” in order to display the best restaurants, then asking for further information such as reviews of the place, the menu and much more. Complex dialogues are stored in the infotainment system, so you can continue the conversation without having to start from scratch. This is exactly as it already happens today on smartphones, tablets and notebooks with Gemini or other LLM (Large Language Model) artificial intelligences. In addition to the infotainment system, the new Mercedes CLA will bring numerous new features, first and foremost the 100 percent electric powertrain, set to debut at the unveiling. Subsequently, the star saloon/coupé will also be available with an electrified powertrain. Aesthetically derived from the concept seen in 2023, it will be based on the new MMA modular platform, designed primarily for electric cars and ready to serve other models coming in the next few years. +++
+++ PORSCHE has released its global sales results for 2024, reporting 310.718 vehicle deliveries, a 3% decline compared to 2023. One of the highlights is the Macan EV, which managed to outsell its internal combustion engine (ICE) counterpart in the fourth quarter of the year. On the flip side, the fully electric Taycan struggled to find buyers, with sales nearly halving compared to the previous year. The Macan EV made its debut in January 2024, but customers didn’t get their hands on one until the very end of September. Of the 27.795 units sold in the 4th quarter, nearly 66% (18.278) were electric, while the remaining 9.517 were petrol models. Before anyone pops champagne over the Macan EV outpacing its aging ICE counterpart, it’s important to note that the petrol-powered version was discontinued in Europe, one of Porsche’s key markets, as of spring 2024, due to tougher cybersecurity regulations. Buyers in the EU essentially had no choice but to go electric if they wanted a Macan. Meanwhile, in the U.S. and other regions, Porsche still offers both versions side by side. Overall, Porsche sold 82.795 examples of the Macan in 2024; a 5% dip compared to 2023’s line-up. According to the company, this decline can be attributed to the discontinuation of the petrol model from Europe and the “staggered introduction” of the Macan EV worldwide. The Taycan suffered the worst sales decline in the Porsche line-up with 20.836 units representing a 49% drop compared to 2023. Porsche suggests that the significant drop is due to the introduction of the facelifted model, acknowledging that the “the ramp-up of electric mobility is generally proceeding more slowly than planned”. The Taycan was Porsche’s weakest link in 2024, with sales crashing by 49% to just 20.836 units. Porsche blamed the sharp decline on the transition to the updated facelifted model but also admitted that the shift to electric mobility is “generally proceeding more slowly than planned”. The Porsche Panamera also entered a new generation last year bringing several upgrades compared to its predecessor. However, sales dropped by 13% to 29.587 units, a dip largely attributed to waning demand in the critical Chinese market. Luckily for the Zuffenhausen brand, the Cayenne has evolved into a buyer’s favourite, accounting for nearly a third of Porsche sales. The SUV sold 102.889 units in 2024, marking a 18% increase over the previous year, while retaining its position as the best-selling member of the Porsche line-up. The 911 also held its ground as Porsche’s flagship sports car, delivering 50.941 units and securing third place behind the Cayenne and Macan. The 718 Boxster and Cayman, Porsche’s entry-level sports cars, enjoyed a 15% boost with a combined 23.670 units sold worldwide. Despite this growth, the future of the 718 line-up remains uncertain as Porsche has reportedly pushed back the launch of their fully electric successors. Regionally, Porsche saw mixed results. Sales grew in Europe (+9%) and North America (+1%), but China, the automaker’s largest single market in recent years, tanked by 28%, with the automaker citing a “continuing challenging economic situation”. While the company remains optimistic about personalization trends, with more buyers adding profitable optional features, it doesn’t change the reality that Porsche is losing significant ground in one of its most crucial markets. Looking ahead, Detlev von Platen, Porsche’s Executive Board Member for Sales and Marketing, struck a measured tone: “With the youngest product range in the company’s history, our offering is highly attractive to our customers. At the same time, of course, we do expect that the economic and geopolitical conditions will challenge us more than ever in 2025. Nevertheless, our goal is to further strengthen our brand globally and to exploit market potential. We will do this in line with demand in the individual regions in order to remain true to our principle of value-based sales in the future”. +++
+++ TOYOTA has shown off a mid-engined version of the GR Yaris, hinting at a radical new development of its acclaimed hot hatch … or a future mid-engined sports car. Named the GR Yaris M Concept, it swaps the GR Yaris’s front-mounted 1.6-litre turbo triple for a new 2.0-litre turbo-4 mounted behind its rear seats. This appears to be the new powerplant developed by Toyota as part of a deal with compatriots Mazda and Subaru, of which technical details remain under wraps. Outputs are said to range from around 400 hp in the road-going specification to 600 hp-plus in racing guise. Power is sent through all 4 wheels and up to half of it can be transmitted to the front. Toyota said it would enter the M Concept into Japan’s Super Taikyu racing series to stress-test the prototype engine “to failure”. It will take feedback from drivers in the process, including company chairman Akio Toyoda’s racing alter ego, Driver Morizo. This suggests that the M Concept may not hint at a further development of the GR Yaris but something altogether different. It’s possible that it’s actually a test mule for the long-mooted MR2 revival, which was reportedly green-lit for production last May. Notably, the GR Yaris has a similar wheelbase to previous MR2s, at 2.560 mm: the Mk3 measured 2.450 mm from axle to axle, the Mk2 2.400 mm and the Mk1 2.320 mm. It stands to reason that a modern interpretation of the famed mid-engined roadster would be a larger car than its forebears, bringing it closer to the GR Yaris in size. Toyota hasn’t confirmed anything to this end, however. So far, the biggest hint the company has dropped concerning a new MR2 came from its promotional cartoon series, Grip. A recent episode briefly showed a whiteboard containing a list of new models: Mk6 Supra, Mk8 Celica, Mk4 MR2, Mk3 GR86 and GR GT3. Since then, Toyota’s vice-president has confirmed that work has begun on the next Celica, suggesting the other models listed could well be on their way too. +++
+++ The VOLKSWAGEN brand recorded global sales of 4.8 million vehicles in 2024, reflecting a 1.4% decline compared to the previous year. Among these, 383.100 were fully electric vehicles, representing a 2.7% year-on-year drop. The Volkswagen brand recorded global sales of 4.8 million vehicles in 2024, reflecting a 1.4% decline compared to the previous year. While the overall dip was modest, it underscores the growing challenges posed by increasing competition and evolving market demands. Of these sales, 383.100 were fully electric vehicles (EVs), a 2.7% decrease year-on-year, an unwelcome result for a company striving to strengthen its EV presence. China remained Volkswagen’s largest market in 2024, with 2.2 million deliveries accounting for nearly 46% of all sales. However, this marked an 8.3% decline from 2023 as local brands intensified their competitive edge. In Europe, Volkswagen retained its position as the market leader with 1.25 million units, despite a slight decrease of 1.7%. North America was the third biggest region for VW with 592.300 deliveries and a robust 18.4 percent increase compared to last year. Volkswagen also enjoyed a good year in South America, where it posted a 21.1 percent increase with 479.400 deliveries. The vast majority of South American sales took place in Brazil, where the Polo hatchback sold a record 172.510 units. In Germany, Volkswagen continued to dominate, maintaining a 19.1% market share. According to the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), the brand held 5 spots in the country’s top-10 bestselling vehicles chart with the Golf, T-Roc, Tiguan, Passat and Polo. Globally, the Tiguan was Volkswagen’s best-selling model in 2024, followed by the smaller T-Roc that will enter a new generation in 2025. SUVs accounted for 47 percent of global VW deliveries in 2024, explaining why the automaker continues to expand its lineup of high-riding models. As for electric vehicles, the 383,100 deliveries of 2024 were 2.7 percent fewer compared to the 393.700 of 2023. The stop sale order for the ID.4 last year is certainly one of the reasons for the decline, as it resulted in 55% fewer sales for the electric SUV in the US market. Martin Sander, Volkswagen Board Member for Sales, Marketing and After Sales, said: “Around the globe, 2024 was a difficult year with sluggish economic activity, political challenges and intense competition, particularly in China. Yet, we are beginning the new year with optimism. Not only do we have attractive products, but we are meeting the needs of a wide variety of customer groups with our extensive, diverse model range that covers all drive types”. +++