27 February 2018

Portugal Vehicle Production : 2017

Portugal has a long history of vehicle assembly. Years ago there were many brands assembling small numbers of vehicles each, suggesting a protected market. As the protection was reduced, most of the manufacturers went but a few have stayed. Overall, the total number of units assembled hasn't varied that much.

Today two companies make cars, VW Group and PSA. Light Commercial vehicle assembly is undertaken by three makers, PSA, Toyota and Fuso. Let's look a bit deeper.

VW Group: They made the Seat Alhambra MPV. For the VW brand was the Sharan MPV, Scirocco coupe and T-Roc crossover.


PSA: The Citroën Berlingo and Peugeot Partner small vans are assembled.


Fuso: The Canter small truck is manufacturered.


Toyota: The Land Cruiser is assembled by the Salvador Caetano Group for export.

Passenger Cars
13 14 15 16 17 Brand 2017 % +/-
2016 % +/-
1 1 1 1 1 VW 76,618 60.6% 42%
53,912 54.3% -27%
2 2 2 2 2 Seat 33,638 26.6% 8%
31,214 31.5% 12%
3 3 4 3 3 Peugeot 10,386 8.2% 38%
7,551 7.6% 24%
4 4 3 4 4 Citroën 5,784 4.6% -11%
6,523 6.6% -10%

Total 126,426
27%
99,200
-14%
Light Commercial Vehicles
13 14 15 16 17 Brand 2017 % +/-
2016 % +/-
1 1 2 1 1 Citroën 21,028 42.8% 16%
18,179 41.4% 12%
2 2 1 2 2 Peugeot 16,447 33.5% -4%
17,212 39.2% 1%
3 3 3 3 3 Fuso 9,730 19.8% 46%
6,682 15.2% 7%
5 4 4 4 4 Toyota 1,913 3.9% 5%
1,823 4.2% 12%
4 - - - - Isuzu -
-

Total 49,118
12%
43,896
7%


Grand Total 175,544
23%
143,096
-9%

Summary: Not a huge volume of vehicles leave plants in Portugal but it is a stable industry and is expected to grow. VW is ramping up the T-Roc and that should see higher numbers. PSA is doing the same with its vans as demand is strong.

Data source: ACAP.

22 February 2018

Mitsubishi Regional Sales & Production : 2012-16


This article compares production and sales by region and it throws up some interesting stuff.

Production: Mitsubishi has been reducing the plants it makes vehicles in. It was no doubt good for the bottom line. 98.5% of manufacturing is done in Asia. it always has had a heavy leaning that way, now it's the total for all intents and purposes.

Region 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
Japan 531,471 652,966 648,595 637,079 484,428
Asia 435,048 429,850 452,911 471,358 527,299
Latin Amer 15,000 23,898 34,532 31,916 40,260
Nth America
38,186 61,974 69,766 47,837
Europe
3,049 8,230 6,366 13,522
ME / Africa

118 1,920
Grand Total 981,519 1,147,949 1,206,360 1,218,405 1,113,346

Japan 54.1% 56.9% 53.8% 52.3% 43.5%
Asia 44.3% 37.4% 37.5% 38.7% 47.4%
Latin Amer 1.5% 2.1% 2.9% 2.6% 3.6%
Nth America
3.3% 5.1% 5.7% 4.3%
Europe
0.3% 0.7% 0.5% 1.2%
ME / Africa

0.0% 0.2%

Sales: In its home nation, Mitsubishi is very small. It contributes well under than 10% of the total. The rest of Asia is about a third of what's sold. The production volume is consistently higher than sales, showing that some production is for other companies.

Region 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
Asia 314,852 321,992 344,174 343,756 357,438
Europe 179,319 206,142 227,289 201,579 180,901
Nth America 138,286 135,170 116,897 96,988 84,718
Oceania 83,332 81,574 78,804 76,623 64,027
Japan 79,775 101,924 114,774 143,212 134,021
ME / Africa 70,900 126,648 106,841 81,432 70,854
Latin Amer 59,926 74,878 101,061 103,420 95,407
Grand Total 926,390 1,048,328 1,089,840 1,047,010 987,366

Asia 34.0% 30.7% 31.6% 32.8% 36.2%
Europe 19.4% 19.7% 20.9% 19.3% 18.3%
Nth America 14.9% 12.9% 10.7% 9.3% 8.6%
Oceania 9.0% 7.8% 7.2% 7.3% 6.5%
Japan 8.6% 9.7% 10.5% 13.7% 13.6%
ME / Africa 7.7% 12.1% 9.8% 7.8% 7.2%
Latin Amer 6.5% 7.1% 9.3% 9.9% 9.7%

Data source: MMC.
Picture source: Netcarshow.

20 February 2018

Mitsubishi Production By Model : 2012-16


Mitsubishi data comes out rather late but it is detailed when it arrives. Other manufacturers could be more open so I applaud their openness. Of course, a problem with being transparent is that it allows others to draw conclusions, something many companies do not want. They want to control the data and put the spin on it to maximise their image. So it takes courage be open.

In the case of Mitsubishi, things haven't gone to well for them lately, leading to their becoming part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. It will be of great benefit for Mitsi but it will take time to implement the cost savings and co-operation that will come.

Looking at production figures below they have dropped in this period from just over 1.1 million to 980,000. Back in 1997, it nearly 1.5 million so the slide has been going on for some time. There are a lot less models now which has had an impact on volume. Now for each class of vehicle.

SUV: It's currently based around four models and represents 40% of all production. Mitsubishi's strength in this area has been so important for the company.

LCV: It is now mainly reliant on the Triton pick-up truck and the Delica van. The T120 mini truck volume has reduced markedly. Form 2012 to 2016, this class of vehicle has dropped from 33% to 23% of total production.

Car: This is a problematic area for Mitsubishi, as the Lancer is phased out. It's now down to one model, the Mirage/Attrage city car. The tie up that the company has now entered into will surely help there.

Kei: These diminutive vehicles are currently proving to be a hit, with production share up from 4% to 14% in the last five years. Some of these may already be made for Nissan but the data I got doesn't reveal this.

MPV: Over 180,000 were made in 1999 with several models available, but now it's down to one model and I wonder what the future is for this category.

Summary: It's difficult to be a small vehicle manufacturer in a country with many, some of which dominate proceedings. Mitsubishi needed help and it now has that. It will be interesting to see how this new arrangement unfolds.

Model 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
Total SUV 395,168 461,264 515,770 463,080 419,251
% 40.3% 40.2% 42.8% 38.0% 37.7%
Outlander 145,838 187,869 146,148 133,862 110,726
RVR 142,232 143,061 180,151 160,805 150,111
Pajero Sport 61,090 76,469 127,737 101,040 99,318
Pajero 45,406 53,393 56,732 57,781 42,170
Jeep 602 472 502 532 534
Pajero iO

4,500 9,060 10,530
Pajero Mini



5,862

Total LCV 224,150 216,469 257,147 313,177 364,195
% 22.8% 18.9% 21.3% 25.7% 32.7%
Triton/L200 157,082 139,461 171,005 164,527 209,160
Delica 55,153 52,966 55,916 66,249 62,212
T120 11,712 23,568 29,184 33,746 31,473
Minicab 203 474 1,042 48,655 61,350

Total Car 210,470 269,585 252,198 265,669 282,556
% 21.4% 23.5% 20.9% 21.8% 25.4%
Mirage/Attrage 152,906 137,590 130,090 144,944 137,342
Lancer 54,133 127,509 117,283 112,986 130,087
Colt Plus 3,431 4,034 4,750 7,385 6,612
Galant
452 75 354 8,515

Total Kei 140,355 190,414 238,509 211,226 45,479
% 14.3% 16.6% 19.8% 17.3% 4.1%
eK Space 68,722 89,868 124,748 29,558
eK Wagon 67,379 95,803 110,300 178,977 33,920
i/i MIEV 4,254 4,743 3,461 2,635 6,404
Toppo


56 5,155

Total MPV 11,376 10,217 11,258 12,536 12,478
% 1.2% 0.9% 0.9% 1.0% 1.1%
Adventure 11,376 7,204 6,237 7,154 6,062
Zinger
3,013 5,021 4,907 5,382
Grandis


475 1,034

Grand Total 981,519 1,147,949 1,206,360 1,218,405 1,113,346

Data source: MMC.
Picture source: Netcarshow.