The Writing Was on the Wall

Sergio Marchionne, the late CEO of FCA (Fiat Chrysler) criticised the car industry, highlighting its inefficiency and reluctance to adopt new technology which ultimately impacted profitability. He championed greater cooperation to reduce duplicated spending.

But like Ignaz Semmelweis, his insight was ignored. Cooperation requires compromise and that isn't a quality that gets industry leaders to the top. Their modus operandi is do it my way because compromise is weakness and we don't need to do it anyway. 

Whatever the reasons, it wasn't considered necessary to cooperative beyond sharing an engine or two and the odd fringe model. But the existing way of doing things is ponderous and wastefully burns cash. No one was really pressuring them to change as long as everyone did the same.

Things have moved quickly. The Chinese have finally got themselves sorted and they have things in their favour. A protected home market. High levels of tech included in the cars. Subsidized manufacturing. Control over key battery materials. Faster vehicle development times. Quickly implementing change when feedback showed where improvements were needed.

The less efficient and complacent legacy car manufacturers are being found out. They are cooperating more and will have to speed that up. Some of the larger car manufacturers already have cost sharing within their assorted brands but that might not be enough.

Companies like JLR don't have that option. They wouldn't consider cooperating with model sharing for Jaguar. Try buying one now to see how foolish that stance was. Land Rover will soon be hunted by a proliferation of Chinese models and I wonder how they will survive that. 

In times of change, relying on past experience is often your worst enemy. Clinging to outdated methods rather than adapt can be fatal. Past success doesn't guarantee future success, neither does a well respected brand name. The latter helps but only to a point.

The writing was on the wall and it's become a reality. Now's the time to be smart or be gone. That's the choice, but is it already too late for some? 

Photos: Soueast S05 above and Geely Galaxy Cruiser below (looks familiar?)

Challenges For The Automobile Industry

Industries generally are grappling with various issues but the car industry is particularly vulnerable. One former CEO was critical of the wastefulness of the industry with a reluctance to share costs with other manufacturers. Necessity is moving many to increased cost sharing. 

Car companies have many issues to deal with and most are not self inflicted. Here are some of them.

Tariffs: These have always been around, usually started to protect local manufacturing but tend to hang around long after that is no longer required. The worst offenders are in Asia, with China recently reducing the threshold on tariffs for premium cars, which is over and above its standard tariff. The US has also been using tariffs to encourage more local manufacturing. 

Regulations. Reducing emissions is the goal, achieved with incentives or disincentives. If done with reasonable warning, the industry can adjust. Sometimes, they can prove to be hard to achieve, causing backtracking as with the EU in a recent about face on its 2035 deadline to end fossil fuel vehicles. A relief for some in the industry, but still disruptive for others. 

Instability. A recent semiconductor shortage and raw material issues contribute to production delays. Rising costs for materials, energy and labour is pushing up costs and usually prices. Even logistical disruptions regarding maritime and road transport have to be accommodated.

Technology. Modern cars are becoming even more complex, with emphasis shifting from mechanical engineering (which is still needed) to increased software development for new features. 

Increasing Competition & Development cycles. Many new brands are coming out of China and the fight for market share is hotting up. New model development has been extremely slow in the past but things are speeding up in that area. 

Summary. The consumer is increasingly spoiled for choice, perhaps even bewildered but doesn't necessarily think about challenges the industry is facing. We just want a good product that fulfils our needs. Meanwhile, the industry grapples with all the challenges that come its way. Hurdles it must jump to survive and hopefully prosper. 

EU to Backtrack on China Sourced EVs?

Since November 2024, the EU imposed tariffs on Chinese sourced electric cars (BEV) due to unfair advantage through state subsidies. Now pressure is being applied by a European car maker who manufacture a BEV in China to make an exception for them. What is the reasoning?

According to VW's SEAT/Cupra, they say it is "an unfair tariff that penalises strategic investments." So making cars in China rather than Europe is 'strategic' or the definition of the word 'helping achieve a plan'. Protecting European jobs isn't the plan nor punishing perceived infair subsidies, so I guess increased profit is the strategic plan.  

After deciding to build a car somewhere and then legislation is introduced that affects that decision adversely is a bitter pill to swallow. Getting an exemption would seem an ideal solution. The downside is opening the door to many others doing the same and that works against the initial tariff's aim. 

Other brands make electric cars in China. BMW decided to make the MINI Aceman in China rather than the UK but would retaining tariffs lead BMW to start making them in the UK? Volvo produces the EX30 in Belgium and that circumvents tariffs. It seems Dacia will bring the Spring model production back to Europe in 2026. I wonder how the manufacturers that accepted BEV tariffs and are moving production back to Europe are now feeling?

 As to whether tariffs are a good idea or not in this situation is not an argument I want to join. As a general observation though, SEAT/Cupra is looking at their personal situation and they want an exception for their benefit. Considering the effect on others and the impact on the overall objective becomes secondary. 

BEV sales in Europe aren't going that well anyway and plans to impose a ban on selling new cars with internal combustion engines in the EU from 2035 have been abandoned. I wonder if trying to beat the tariff will reap that much anyway.

High Wage Car Assembly

The difference in wages paid to car assembly workers varies greatly around the world. It is true that the wage cost per car isn't that high, perhaps 5-10% in a high wage country, but there are many variables. Premium cars would be less compared to mainstream cars. 

The car industry is experiencing cost pressures. Competition is heating up with more brands vying for your patronage. China was a big earner for companies until intense competition there started eroding profits. The Chinese government has recently encouraged car companies to pull back on aggressive discounting. In addition, shipping costs have also been rising.

Where does this leave car manufacturers? It must be tempting to move production to lower wage countries. That isn't a straightforward thing with investment in plants being hugely expensive. You can't just walk away from them. But over time, the shift can be carried out.

Car makers don't want a customer backlash if they moved all their production, so they manage the balance carefully. How would VW fare if it moved all its production out of Germany? With freight costs and the logistics of sending cars long distances, there is merit in having production close to the market where the bulk of the sales will be achieved. 

Workers on high wages understandably want to protect their earnings but at what cost? Would it be worth having a wage increase freeze or even a modest cut in wages to save a plant they work at? Unlikely to impossible. 

Belgium used to be a major car manufacturer but now has only one plant in Ghent. The fact is it didn't have a local brand which made it easier for car companies to leave. Wage costs were also a factor. 

Recently, Audi closed its plant there to move production to Mexico. Why? The factory wasn't fully utilised but lower wages would also have been an incentive. 

One Audi worker who was interviewed said he would struggle to find another job that paid as well. Car assembly does seem to be a well paid job for the level of skill required. I'm not surprised finding another job at that pay rate was highly unlikely. 

Would such a worker in hindsight been prepared to take a modest pay cut to keep a job that would still be reasonably well paid? The answer would be no. Many workers in high wage countries view their remuneration as an inalienable right. Maybe it's a case of not seeing the bigger picture.

There is no easy answer to this. Margins are being squeezed and costs have to be looked at. More cooperation and cost sharing between car companies is needed. The Japanese are good at doing that.

Car assembly in high wage countries may eventually be just for premium or maybe only luxury marques. The assembly workers may need to find lower wage jobs elsewhere if they can. 

Eighteen Years, 1.6m & Counting

I started doing this blog in October, 2007. Eighteen years ago. If you do the maths, that means I'm now eighteen years older than I was then. Actually, I don't mind getting older, it's the aging process I don't like. 

In that time, I've never had advertising nor allowed comments that are promoting a service or product. This area is 100% commercial free. I don't even ask any of you to buy me a coffee! It's nice to give without wishing to have something in return. Radical, I know.

You may also have noticed I don't like hyphens. Why not meld two words if required? Of course, being both the contributor and editor means I can do things like that. 

I like cars and statistics so the blog is something I enjoy although sometimes motivation isn't strong. The thing is I'm still putting out articles after all these years. I have been doing more data collation recently and some does end up in the blog. 

I write about cars but I don't like the direction of the car industry. Touch screens are less safe than physical controls and less efficient. They try to compensate with features such as autonomous braking and lane departure warning. I'm not against touch screens, just not having important controls there.

The car I drive I bought new twenty years ago. I look at modern cars and have never felt less interested in buying one. As for the electric push, I see them more as a stop gap measure until hydrogen fuel cell or the like gets established. 

A few tips for buying a car. 

1) Don't buy anything too big if you don't need the size. That's inefficient. 

2) Depreciation is a horrendous expense. Maintain your current vehicle and keep it as long as possible. 

3) If buying new, entry level models are usually the best value. Only buy higher spec if you really need the features they offer. 

I'm glad you enjoy the blog. You often have to pay for this sort of thing and I'm not trying to compete with pay sites. They invariably offer more, but for some, this offers all they want. 

If you are inclined to suggest some positive or constructive feedback, there is a comment facility. You don't have to register, but I do filter them to keep out the advertising ones, so posting isn't immediate. I reply to all of them, so feel free. All the best and keep safe.

The Times They Are A-Changin'

Things are changing rapidly in the automotive industry. There are some 'disruptor factors' that are shaking things up. These have the potential to create a vastly different landscape from what we have now. 

To start off with one fizzer. We were all supposed to be in self drive cars by now but the intractable challenges that this has presented were massively underestimated and for now, it's been nothing but a money wasting exercise for many. 

One more real one is how cars are powered. Legislation pushing the industry away from fossil fuels has forced manufacturers into making electric cars but it's been costly and generally unprofitable. That there has not been a unified global implementation of incentives means it's been disruptive and yet not that effective. But it is still giving industry leaders some headaches as they try to balance these new issues. 

The biggest issue presently is the swift rise of the Chinese automotive industry. It is aggressive and some have claimed that unfair advantages are being used to achieve swift success. I'd call it short sighted foolishness as things that happen too quickly will create a negative reaction as it is too disruptive and damaging. 

One surprising development is the Honda-Nissan-Mitsubishi merger. It will take some careful decision making if it is to be successful as there are some issues such as Nissan's poor financial situation to be dealt with effectively. Honda has always been an independently minded company so they are taking China's disruption seriously. They may have also been persuaded into doing it as a move in the best interests of Japanese industry.

It will also mean that Renault's involvement with Nissan and Mitsubishi will surely be scaled back or terminated. Nissan wasn't happy with the power Renault had in that alliance so no tears will be shed on their part. I wonder what Renault is thinking?

With many car manufacturers struggling with profit downturns and reduced global market share, tough decisions have to be made. Greater cooperation between companies will surely happen and even mergers such as the one mentioned. There is no doubt that the times they are a-changin'.

Technology In Cars

We live in a world of change and increasing complexity. Some people seem to love delving into all of that while others find it tedious or confusing. Technology is designed to make life easier and more efficient but there is a point where advancement is lost because the complexity is reducing efficiency.

Take for example the touch screen in cars. The idea is simply using the tip of your index finger to achieve a desired result is more efficient than turning knobs and pushing buttons. I suppose it would be true if the modern car had fewer functions. This has resulted in the curse of the inefficient submenu. 

If a car dashboard had both a touchscreen and all the physical controls as well, which would a motorist end up using? Flicking through a series of menus or activating a manual control? I know what I would be doing and I suggest most would be doing the same.

So what is driving all of this? I can't see a cost saving. Driver efficiency is reduced and safety is compromised. With eyes off the road while fiddling with a touch screen, the need for autonomous braking and lane departure warning is needed. Yet a human will always be better at evaluating and anticipating hazards than a computer will ever be. That is why autonomous cars have failed to materialise in any meaningful way years after they were promised.

The main driver for all of this is profit. Car manufacturers are eyeing making huge gains from selling features that can be downloaded. I can see that on occasion that would be useful but what I have noticed is that features that could have been loaded into the system at the beginning are not and then made available at a substantial extra cost.

I have always been someone who wants a car to get me from A to B and back again. I think optimum reliability was achieved a decade or two ago, which more likely fulfills the aforementioned objective. I don't want to eat and drink while driving or have phone conversations. I concentrate on driving so I don't need intrusive driver aids to protect me from any self induced distractions.

What most people want are essential features but few want superfluous ones. Indulgence that creates inefficiency and frustration is the accepted norm in the industry. Striking the balance between useful and unnecessary is beyond car makers today.

I have always loved cars but modern ones are causing me to lose that love. The simple joy of driving is being overtaken by technology. That's why the only car brand that would interest me today is Dacia. If I had to buy something else, I'd opt for public transport. I've never wanted a new car less than I do today. 

I'll still love statistics and will still watch car sales but I can't say the way technology in cars is being used today is something I appreciate or find appealing. For me, it's all gone too far. 

One Million

One million hits! It started back in 2007 without any idea if there was much demand for this sort of thing. The first articles were basic in content and I have done nothing of note to promote the site. It picked up organically and at one stage was really humming. 

Then something happened to the site some years back where for a time posting new articles was all but impossible and popularity slipped. The traffic flow never quite returned to those highest levels but it still has ticked along. 

I've often talked about quitting but I have kept at it. From the beginning, no advertising was activated through Google ads. Comments that try to promote business are treated as spam. The principal behind the blog has been about sharing freely without personal gain. It's a shame there isn't more of that in the world. 

I don't have any connection with the car industry so I can write freely. The information is sourced by myself and no one has ever provided any information or data to assist me other that what can be sourced online. Many car manufacturers don't want to share much and that trend has increased. I would welcome anything I could use but of course without strings attached. 

The figures above show where the visitors have come from. The 'Others' figure seems high but some choose to hide that and I assume that would be the reason. Countries like Russia and France have exceeded my expectation while the likes of Canada and Australia the opposite. 

So for those who have enjoyed the ride, you are welcome.

Take care.  

An Alternate Site

There aren't many car sales sites that are not behind a paywall. There is only one that doesn't have advertising that I know of and you're here already. One that is up to date is in Spanish and it has advertising too but if neither of those bothers you, then click here. It called Los Coches Más Vendidos. 

If you know of others that cover the auto industry that readers may enjoy, please leave a comment. You don't have to register to do so but I moderate comments to filter out the spam. You are welcome to leave comments regarding any of the articles. I respond to them as well!

For regular readers of this site, it's nice to have you along. Take care.

Why The Electric Car Push?

The obvious answer would be it's better for the environment, especially air quality in cities. The downside is limited range and recharging time. That simple summary doesn't explain why hydrogen fuel cell cars have been hyped as a real environmentally friendly possibility and then downplayed. 

First, the switch to BEVs that is taking place. Sales were 2.2 million in 2019 and 6.6 million in 2021, now close to 9% of the global total. China sold 3.3 million, or 53% of the total. Many of the China sales are tiny city cars but still an impressive achievement.

So what is wrong with hydrogen fuel cell passenger cars? Sales in the US for 2021 were 3,341 (the Toyota Mirai nearly 80% of that total). Chicken feed numbers. Hydrogen is being pushed for commercial vehicles though. Buses and lorries are seen as the area where fuel cell propulsion will be most successful in the more immediate future.

Commercial vehicles can have a filling station back at a depot or a long haul trucking firm some strategically placed filling points along a regular route. Filling up is quick too. A city based bus service would be pollution free and in future, that may be a mandatory standard for new bus purchases.

The problem is that the vast majority of the world's passenger cars are still using fossil fuels and service stations are doing just fine with their patronage. The setting up costs for hydrogen is not worth it for a few customers. With an absence of filling stations, people will not be buying them. A catch 22 situation. 

So hydrogen fuel cell passenger cars can have a future but they need to be made in large enough numbers to bring the price down. There aren't enough refueling points to sell them in big enough numbers. Car makers have done the maths and virtually all of them are not bothering until that impasse is negated. 

Electric Vans

Electric vans that travel within a confined area, doing a daily mileage not too demanding are an ideal fit for electric propulsion. I'm surprised more haven't gone that way but the initial cost of purchase is probably a major factor in that. If a van requires a heavy payload, then fossil fuel vans again are the better bet. So what are some of the benefits of an electric van? 

Rebates. Depending on the country, there are incentives to entice buyers.

Running costs. Fewer moving parts should mean a lower maintenance cost and more reliable. Electric is cheaper than fossil fuel.

Image. Being able to claim a clean fleet of vehicles is a big plus.

Charging. It can be done at the end of the day at the place where the van sits while not in use. 

Workplace environment. For a driver spending all day in a van, it's a more serene place to be so less stressful. 

Ease of use. They have instant torque so nippy in traffic and with no gears, it's simpler to drive as well. Just accelerate or brake.

Future proofing. Depends on where you live but if restrictions are put in place to disadvantage vehicles based on emissions, then that one is already sorted. 

Summary. They are not the ideal solution for all van operators but for those doing work suited to such a van then they are a serious alternative to be considered.

The Beauty of Simplicity

Picture source: https://driving.ca

I had a wristwatch that on each occasion I needed to change the time, it required my getting out the instruction book. I then had to press or hold various buttons until I got through several sub-menus and could actually change the time. That's a basic function needed whenever daylight saving comes around, yet whoever designed the watch didn't seem to think that feature should be easily accessible! I now have a watch with a crown that is pulled out and the hands are turned to the desired position. The beauty of simplicity.

Unfortunately, the car industry doesn't offer simplicity as an option. I recently took my car in for a warrant of fitness and it passed yet again. I mentioned to the technician my car has never failed a warrant over many years. He replied that it was a simple car. He said one man comes in with a late model Mercedes and it is constantly having to be returned for issues around the electronics of the car. 

Why can't I buy a simple car? I don't want an iPad stuck to the dashboard with endless sub-menus that need to be traversed in order to do a simple task. I can presently action required functions with a nonchalant push of a button or an effortless twist of a knob. 

This move to compting power within a car was presumably in preparation for the switch to autonomous driving. That noble yet laughable goal is now seen as a lifetime away, if ever achievable. Now we don't need to have an iPad on the dashboard anymore, can we please return to the saner button and knob arrangement? If car manufacturers by chance read this blog, I challenge you to convince me that any of your current crop of technologically complicated vehicles is worth my exchanging an older, simple car for. 

Manufacturers are scrambling to get enough microchips. Car prices are going up. Simplicity isn't only more reliable and user friendly, but cheaper too. It is time for a return to what many people surely want, reliable and uncomplicated driving. It's called the beauty of simplicity.  

Women's World Car of the Year : 2021

I don't think there is a man's car of the year award but perhaps as most motoring journalists are men, it was felt women weren't being heard. If so, this award puts that right. The shortlist by category is below.

The finalists: 

Peugeot 208 - Best Urban Car 

Skoda Octavia - Best Family Car

Lexus LC 500 Cabrio - Best Luxury Car 

Ferrari F8 Spider - Best Performance Car 

Peugeot 2008 - Best Urban SUV 

Land Rover Defender - Best Medium SUV 

Kia Sorento - Best Large SUV 

Ford F-150 - Best 4×4 & Pick-Up 

Honda e - Best EV

Now looking over that list, what car would you choose to be a woman's preferred world's best car? They chose the Land Rover Defender as the winner. That did surprise me as it seems such a masculine vehicle, the sort Indiana Jones would have definitely plumped for. However, there is no reason to pick one car over another as the one that would the chosen. In reality, it could have been any one of the finalists. I like their choice.

When doing the school run...

...or taking the kids to see the grandparents.

Pictures Explained (2)

This is the second in a series of insightful clarifications of pictures that may otherwise be misunderstood. Years of following the car industry allow such insight. So here we go a second time.

This is a factory tour of a VW plant in South Africa. What isn't known is that the above conveyance was originally intended for game parks. However, trials revealed that those in the carts felt like sitting ducks, riding a gravy train for local lions. So this prototype was snapped up by VW to do factory tours instead. Clever.

A local NZ car magazine (Autocar NZ) prides itself on getting to the point in its road tests. So while the bears in this picture may appear to be simply going along for the ride, it is in fact a subliminal message that says they keep to the bare facts. So subtle you probably missed that one. 

In some companies, the new CEO is decided with a boxing match. Here is a weigh-in, all very polite but the clenched fists indicate they mean business. 

And the winner is...

Well done sir, You must have dreamed about this outcome as dreams have power.

At first appearance, this may seem like a fist bump but the medal around the lady's neck is the giveaway. She is obviously the world champion at rock-paper-scissors. The fact this is taken at a car plant is irrelevant. It's a way of celebrating this momentous achievement at her workplace. First up effort a tie. 

Social distancing has been around for about a year now and many have forgotten, or feel awkward about, more normal interacting with colleagues. In this plant, workers have been encouraged to practice working closer together. Erm... not too close, please.

For the others in the series, simply click the links below:

Number One ; Number Three

Pictures Explained (1)

Enough of the cars. Who wants a beer?

Moments earlier the bus driver side swiped a brick wall.
The passengers were unhurt but were left somewhat exposed.

Pedestrians waiting to cross the road are
held up by a slow moving vehicle. Typical.

The record for how many people can fit into a MINI
 was recently broken. I don't know how they did it!

There is never a bad time for a family photo

All the effort with masks and social distancing 
yet they dispensed with the elbow bump. 

For the others in the series, simply click the links below:

Number Two ; Number Three

Car Dealership Visits

Ford Dealership

Customer: I want to buy a car but can't make up my mind.

Salesman: Focus.

Toyota Dealership

Salesman: (to a obnoxious person) I think you should leave.

Customer: I go.

SEAT Dealership

Customer: I would like a SEAT.

Salesman: Wouldn't you rather look around?

Skoda Dealership

Customer: I want to buy a car.

Salesman: Superb.

Hyundai Dealership

Customer: I'd like a Kona please.

Salesman: Our cafe is just over there.

Suzuki Dealership

Customer: Is the car nippy?

Salesman: I'd say swift.

Opel Dealership

Customer: Is it just for the road only?

Salesman: It will cross land too.

Mercedes Dealership

Customer: It seems a good car.

Salesman: It's 'A' class.

Honda Dealership

Customer: I do like Honda cars.

Salesman: I'm in accord with that.

Customer: What's that background music?

Salesman: Jazz.

Land Rover Dealership

Customer: Land Rovers bring back fond memories.

Salesman: For many they evoke such.

Iveco Dealership

Customer: How often do you get new stock?

Salesman: Almost daily.

Ford Dealership

Customer: When will the van I ordered be he.

Salesman: It's in transit.

Porsche Dealership

Customer: Can my mother take one for a test drive.

Salesman: Indeed, Ma can.

About The Blog

Enjoy family outings together but nothing too risky

What seems to be a new ploy with advertisements on webpages is having them twitch suddenly or content constantly moving within the ad itself to catch your eye. It catches mine and I either block the ad if I can, or reposition the page in a way I cannot see the ad. Otherwise I just leave. I'm certainly not going to click on the ad and encourage this practice.

When you come to the blogs I do they are ad free. Just the content I put in. You don't have to scroll past them and nothing is flashing in the corner of your eye to distract you. I hate the obsession with commercialism the world has become gripped with. It wasn't nearly so bad when I was a lad. While we were financially less well off, we smiled, made eye contact with other people and invented our own fun which involved more interaction with humans directly.

Rant over, so where do you all come from? You can see below with the hit tally. The USA is well ahead of the rest, with the UK next. Germany was third for some years but was passed by Russia and France. I'm sure my dislike of the culture within the German car industry had something to do with that. Surprise omissions include China and Australia. The recent rise of Unknown and the high Other tally both of note as well. People come from all parts of the world so I guess the Other reflects that.

I hope the content, with its heavy bias toward data, is appealing. I have no link with the car industry so am totally without outside influence. I don't encourage spending on cars unless it is something that fits your budget and necessary requirements. Keep safe and spend as much time as possible with those close to you.

	USA	207,300
	UK	82,750
	Russia	68,400
	France	40,900
	Germany	27,000
	India	23,700
	Italy	10,900
	NZ	10,400
	Netherlands	7,900
	Belgium	7,600
	Ukraine	5,800
	Czech Rep	4,800
	Unknown	4,700
	Canada	4,000
	Saudi Arabia	3,750
	Spain	3,400
	Sweden	2,550
	Japan	2,300
	Turkey	2,200
	Other	265,000
	Total	785,000

Renault Downsizing

The previous CEO Carlos Ghosn believed the best way forward was an aggressive sales push, which lifted sales and kept factories better utilitsed. It certainly seemed to have success while the world car industry was growing. It kept car plants open in France while at the same time minimising the negative effect of excess capacity that it has in its domestic manufacturing sites.

On his sudden departure, that strategy was quickly replaced with less emphasis on volume and moving to increased unit profit. That is a less risky business plan but created a huge issue; what to do the all the manufacturing plants in France that would be even less efficient.

Renault plans is to reduce its global workforce by 14,600, including 4,600 jobs in France. Much of this could be achieved through early retirement and other such similar ways. However, the car plant situation is still one yet to be explained by the company. European politicians know that any such closures on their watch could prove costly come election time. The French public generally view it as unacceptable, regardless of the cost.

Closing plants down elsewhere and move production back home is the way to go apparently. Assembly plants outside of France are in lower wage countries and in many cases where you need to manufacture to avoid import duty. This seems a no win scenario for Renault. Close French car plants and all hell will break loose back home. Moving large amounts of production back to France will cost it competitiveness.

French production capacity is so underutilised, something may have to give in that area. Models such as the Scenic, Espace and Talisman may be culled. The number of platforms within the Renault Group will be reduced and increased sharing with Nissan/Mitsubishi will also improve efficiencies. The latter will take time and in these trying times Renault needs to move quickly or else fall hopelessly behind the competition. French idealism will be the biggest hurdle the company has to face.

A Police Chase!

I don't endorse fleeing the police. If you have done a crime, then face the consequences. This person doesn't want to and I guess the ingenuity is cheeky to say the least.

Top 30 Global Brands : 2017-2018

		Brand	2018			Brand	2017
	1	Toyota	8,755,000	-	1	Toyota	8,595,000
	2	Volkswagen	6,940,000	-	2	Volkswagen	6,815,000
	3	Ford	5,560,000	-	3	Ford	6,015,000
	4	Honda	5,025,000	-	4	Honda	5,080,000
	5	Nissan	4,970,000	-	5	Nissan	5,025,000
	6	Hyundai	4,535,000	-	6	Hyundai	4,435,000
	7	Chevrolet	4,150,000	-	7	Chevrolet	4,140,000
	8	Suzuki	3,070,000	-	8	Suzuki	3,030,000
	9	Kia	2,900,000	-	9	Kia	2,795,000
	10	Mercedes	2,585,000	+1	10	Renault	2,665,000
	11	Renault	2,555,000	-1	11	Mercedes	2,525,000
	12	BMW	2,130,000	-	12	BMW	2,075,000
	13	Peugeot	1,995,000	-	13	Peugeot	2,065,000
	14	Audi	1,820,000		14	Audi	1,860,000
	15	Mazda	1,610,000	+1	15	Fiat	1,645,000
	16	Jeep	1,590,000	+3	16	Mazda	1,560,000
	17	Fiat	1,480,000	-2	17	Buick	1,450,000
	18	Geely	1,455,000	+2	18	Changan	1,425,000
	19	Buick	1,345,000	-2	19	Jeep	1,405,000
	20	Skoda	1,280,000	+1	20	Geely	1,260,000
	21	Changan	1,255,000	-3	21	Skoda	1,205,000
	22	Mitsubishi	1,215,000	+5	22	Wuling	1,135,000
	23	Wuling	1,105,000	-1	23	Opel	1,095,000
	24	Citroën	1,065,000	+1	24	Subaru	1,045,000
	25	Subaru	1,055,000	-1	25	Citroën	1,032,000
	26	Opel	1,010,000	-3	26	Baojun	1,018,000
	27	Baojun	945,000	-1	27	Mitsubishi	1,015,000
	28	Dongfeng	820,000	-	28	Dongfeng	945,000
	29	Haval	750,000	-	29	Haval	855,000
	30	Ram	720,000	+1	30	Daihatsu	715,000