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.

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.

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.