Fiat Italy (Model) : 2012-17

Fiat is a mainstream brand fighting in an area where competition is high and profits are a challenge, especially in Europe. In its home market, Fiat takes slightly more than 20% share. That's a good result although whether that is achieved with reasonable margins I don't know.

The tiny Panda is the big volume model, then comes the 500 variants and the compact Tipo. The Punto is on the way out and the rest are small in volume. Fiat specialise in small models and a larger car would be a welcome edition to the range, although in Italy it wouldn't be a big seller. Perhaps a collaboration such as the 124 Spider could be useful.

The figures below include the Abarth range.

Model/Year	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
Panda/Seiciento	146,062	147,360	127,460	105,255	101,681	117,772
500	58,564	49,329	44,179	45,676	42,322	43,012
Tipo/Bravo/a/Stilo	56,060	31,612	839	1,917	6,203	10,983
500L	46,461	54,748	51,837	52,729	38,229	6,159
500X	45,795	46,240	32,587	97
Punto	37,265	45,239	58,295	59,266	64,200	80,035
Qubo	10,047	8,984	6,978	6,873	8,957	10,781
Doblò	3,592	3,823	4,014	2,645	3,383	3,617
124 Spider	2,022	965
Freemont/Ulysse		1,436	5,703	8,494	10,681	14,417
Sedici			29	1,377	3,097	4,850
Idea					16	2,878
Other	11	13	3	9	21	8
Total	405,879	389,749	331,924	284,338	278,790	294,512
% of total	20.4%	21.1%	20.9%	20.7%	21.2%	20.8%

Human Nature & Driving

When a human is driving a car, they have their hands on the steering wheel, feeling the car react as the wheel is used. The pedals on the floor also cause fluctuations in velocity. The human is then connected to the job at hand and is fully involved. Of course distractions, over confidence and other factors can intervene, which can lead to accidents. However, a driver feeling the car respond to inputs they make keeps the person engaged.

We are seeing cars being released to the public with Autopilot. They work well on aeroplanes although used for the boring flying parts. I've seen videos showing a pilot asleep while the plane is in autopilot. So how do car drivers react to autopilot? I'm a human so I know.

Once the hands and feet disengage from the controls, the driver immediately starts to disengage from driving. It is impossible for a human to sit in a car, passively allowing the car to be driven for them and remain fully alert. They will not be able to react to a situation anywhere near as quickly and efficiently than they would if they were driving. Even the most alert passive driver will be affected, and the longer they are passive, the harder it will get.

Then there are those who won't remain passively alert at all. They will find other things to do. Read, text, snooze, turn to talk to other passengers, try to find something in their glove box, look at what's going on around them.

Amazingly, some people don't get this, or don't want to get it. They are the people behind making the car self driving. I've discussed some of the problems associated with that at other times (see under label "Safety') but this is focusing on Autopilot. Here is a recent case:

Reports state that a Tesla Model S that went through a red light and crashed into a stationary fire truck at high speed was in Autopilot mode. The driver told police she was looking at her phone prior to the collision and estimated her speed at 60 mph.

The company that makes the car warns drivers using this mode to remain alert and active and to be prepared to take action at any time. You couldn't make this up. No understanding of human nature with that instruction. How can you remain active while the car drives for you? Personally I wouldn't use Autopilot if my car had that feature. It doesn't work with a human driver. There are also too many variables with motoring. I like to keep control because I want to remain actively alert. I cannot do that while the car drives for me.

BMW Group Plant Production : 2016-17

Production for the BMW Group was up 6% in 2017. Just under half of the total volume was in Germany's four facilities. It was over 50% until 2015 and over 60% in 2010. China is still just 16% but growing. There are plans to make the MINI in China too.

There are also plants that make components and the like but this list is for car making facilities. The operations in China are in co-operation with Brilliance China Automotive Holdings. The 'Other Plants' at the bottom of the chart are located in Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia and Russia.

Nation / Plant	2017	%	+/-		2016	%	+/-
BMW Group Plants
Germany	1,157,337	46.2%	1%		1,149,379	48.7%	3%
Dingolfing	376,580				339,769
Regensburg	338,259				346,291
Leipzig	246,043				246,550
Munich	196,455				216,769
China	396,749	15.8%	30%		305,726	13.0%	6%
Tiexi	269,309				161,901
Dadong	127,440				143,825
USA	371,316	14.8%	-10%		411,171	17.4%	3%
Spartanburg	371,316				411,171
UK	227,125	9.1%	6%		215,150	9.1%	5%
Oxford	223,817				210,971
Goodwood	3,308				4,179
RSA	53,105	2.1%	-16%		63,117	2.7%	-12%
Rosslyn	53,105				63,117
Thailand	21,084	0.8%	18%		17,844	0.8%	100%
Rayong	21,084				17,844
Brazil	12,768	0.5%	-17%		15,408	0.7%	55%
Araquari	12,768				15,408
India	8,952	0.4%	4%		8,568	0.4%	11%
Chennai	8,952				8,568
Partner Plants
Netherlands	168,969	6.7%	93%		87,609	3.7%	54%
Born	168,969				87,609
Austria	50,272	2.0%	-6%		53,528	2.3%	-35%
Graz	50,272				53,528
Other Plants	38,064	1.5	18%		32,256	1.4%	19%
Various	38,064				32,256
Total	2,505,741		6%		2,359,756		4%

Data source: BMW Group