JATO Dynamics agency published sales statistics for European market (including UK) in 2022. 11.3 million new cars were sold, that is, demand fell by 4.1% over the year and turned out to be at the level of 1985! And the European bestseller for the first time was the Peugeot 208 hatchback (pictured), which sold 207,000 cars. Following are Dacia Sandero (201 thousand), Volkswagen T-Roc (181 thousand) and Fiat/Abarth 500 (180 thousand). The Volkswagen Golf, which had been in first place for the previous 14 years, this time was only in fifth place in the ranking: sales fell by 14%, to 177,000 units. However, Volkswagen remained the most popular brand in Europe: 1 million 198 thousand cars were sold (a decline of 6%).
Production of electric vehicles BMW new Class will be organized not only in Germany and Hungary, but also in Mexico – at the BMW plant in San Luis Potosi. Opened in 2019, the facility now produces 3rd series sedans and 2nd series coupes (including the BMW M2). The modernization of the plant for the production of electric vehicles will cost the concern 800 million euros, of which 500 million will go to the organization of the production of traction batteries. The start of production of the “New Class” models in Mexico is scheduled for 2027.
Company Ferrari published statistics for 2022. A new sales record has been set: 13221 cars, that is, an increase of 19%! And this despite the fact that the Purosangue crossover will enter the market only in the second quarter of this year. On this occasion, almost five thousand employees of the company received a generous bonus of 13,500 euros at the end of the year. Ferrari is preparing four premieres this year, although only two are known so far: this is an open version of the Roma supercar and a new 12-cylinder model that will replace the Ferrari 812 Superfast coupe (pictured).
Holding Geely opened a design center in Italy. This is the sixth studio of the company, it will work together with branded design centers in China, Sweden, Spain, the UK and the USA, the work of all designers is supervised by Stefan Zielaff. A new studio called Geely Innovation Design Center Italy is located in Milan, and the team is being formed and logistical issues are being organized.
joint venture Jiangling Ford Automobile Technology, created in China a year ago, announced the first joint model, for which a new trademark will be invented. This is a frame pickup, technically unified with the global Ford Ranger model, but not copying it. So far, only photos of camouflaged cars have been published. The family will include simple working versions and expensive modifications for private owners, and later there will be an electric pickup. The premiere will take place in March.
The Belarusian company “Lucky Carensi” became the official distributor of the Iranian company A shoe in Russia and Belarus. Certification of three models has already been launched – these are inexpensive compact sedans Saina and Shahin, as well as a cross hatchback Quick. The Saipa Shahin model (the most modern in the range of the company) was shown at an exhibition in Moscow last summer, at home such a sedan costs 12 thousand dollars. Saina and Quick are cheaper. Exact dates for the start of sales have not yet been announced.
Also today we talked regarding the liftback Feifan F7supercars Lamborghini Invincible and Authenticupdated crossover Volkswagen Tharu and alliance reforms Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi.
