IHS Global Insight Perspective | |
Significance | With the Geneva Motor Show 2011 set to open its doors next week, both mainstream and luxury automakers are continuing to announce details of the vehicles that they are set to display. |
Implications | While this is by no means a comprehensive list of the launches that will take place at the event, with more to come before the doors open and at the press conferences themselves, it gives an indication of the efforts that automakers are making following the economic downturn that first hit a little over two years ago. |
Outlook | The event will give further indication of the important areas affecting the numerous automakers at the show, although it could be in future that premium automakers increasingly focus their attentions on events in the markets with the most potential. |
As the Geneva Motor Show 2011 is set to open its doors next week, both mainstream and luxury automakers are continuing to reveal details of the vehicles that they are set to display at the event. The Volkswagen (VW) Group seems set to have a big impact on the event thanks to the multitude of brands that it has at its disposal and the number of launches it is set to make. For example, as well as the facelifted Tiguan sport utility vehicle (see Switzerland: 7 February 2011: Geneva Motor Show 2011: VW to Launch Revised Tiguan Model), the VW brand is set to announce the return of the Golf convertible. Unlike many rivals, this vehicle will come with a fabric folding roof which the automaker has said is among the quietest on the market. The roof can be electro-hydraulically opened in just 9.5 seconds at up to 30 km/h. The styling of the vehicle remains reminiscent of the standard Golf, but with a new rear section and lower roof line. The model will be available with six gasoline (petrol) and diesel engines, but in only one trim level, with the option to add further packages when specifying the vehicle. Elsewhere within the VW Group, the Skoda brand will join Audi (see Germany: Switzerland: 23 February 2011: Geneva Motor Show 2011: Audi to Unveil A3 Sedan Concept, Plant in Running for New Small Porsche SUV) in displaying a concept vehicle hinting at the future direction of the brand. Although little is known about this model, the automaker said that it "boasts clearly defined shapes and a great sense of detail that will adorn Skoda's new models from 2012." It will also feature the automakers new branding that will come on stream during 2012. A report in enthusiast publication Autocar has also suggested that VW Group's recent acquisition, design house Italdesign, will show of two of its first ideas for new vehicles to be used by the automaker. One is said to be a rakish three-door model which could give a hint of the next generation of VW Scirocco, while a more upright five-door model could indicate the designs of its future mainstream models, such as the Golf and Polo.
Japanese automakers are set to be out in force as well. Mitsubishi was one of the first to unveil its intentions when it announced that it would display 'Concept Global Small', a new B segment model (see Switzerland: 19 January 2011: Geneva Motor Show 2011: Mitsubishi to Unveil "Concept Global Small"), while in the same realm, Suzuki will reveal its Swift S-Concept (see Japan – Switzerland: 10 February 2011: Geneva Motor Show 2011: Suzuki to Unveil New Swift S-Concept). Nissan will also be adding to its Micra range with its new Dig-S variant. This version features a new 1.2-litre gasoline engine with both direct injection and a supercharger, producing 98 bhp and 105 lb/ft of torque. With a stop-start function as well, this model is capable of achieving CO2 emissions of 95 g/km, although this rises to 115 g/km with the option of continuously variable transmission (CVT). Subaru will also mount its own launch offensive at the motor show. Having already announced that it will be unveiling its new Trezia compact model and an Impreza concept (see Japan - Europe: 17 January 2011: Geneva Motor Show 2011: Fuji Heavy to Unveil Subaru Impreza Concept and Trezia), it will also show off its "Boxer Sports Car Architecture" concept using the rear-wheel drive platform that it has developed with Toyota. Its partner will also be showing the latest iteration of its FT-86 concept based on this architecture, alongside an electric-powered version of its iQ (see Switzerland: 16 February 2011: Geneva Motor Show 2011: Toyota to Display EV iQ).
In line with its comprehensive electric vehicle (EV) strategy, Renault has revealed that it will officially launch its production Kangoo Van Maxi Z.E. at the event. This vehicle is an extended version of its standard Kangoo Van Z.E. model, and is available in both passenger and load-carrying five-seat or load-only carrying two-seat version, with a maximum payload of 650 kg. It is powered by the same 44 kW electric motor as the standard EV Kangoo and 22 kWh below floor mounted lithium-ion battery, with a range of up to 170 km. It is priced at EUR21,200 (USD29,072) before subsidies, with a pre-tax monthly subscription for the batteries of EUR72. Renault will also take the opportunity to unveil the Captur concept which will hint at the automaker's own planned small crossover (see Switzerland: 11 February 2011: Geneva Motor Show 2011: Renault to Unveil Captur Crossover Concept).
Luxury automakers will also be out in force showing off their latest wares. Ferrari has already revealed that it will be rolling out its new FF model that is change in direction for the brand (see Italy - Switzerland: 24 January 2011: Geneva Motor Show 2011: Ferrari Reveals Photos of 612 Scaglietti Replacement). Its stable mate at Fiat, Maserati will also show off a hard-edged version of its GranCabrio model, the GranCabrio Sport. Few details have been released, but the automaker said in a statement that the vehicle would receive a "more responsive" version of the existing 4.7-litre V-8 engine, and a faster changing version of the six-speed automatic transmission. The automaker vehicle will also reveal upgraded suspension settings and larger brakes, as well as visual changes including new side skirts. The UK's Aston Martin brand is also taking the opportunity to introduce a new model. The vehicle resurrects the Virage model name, last used in the 1990's and appears to bare a great deal of similarities to the DB9, although it said to fit between this and the more expensive, harder-edged DBS. The model is said to introduce a range of changes to the body changes and engineering changes including a revised version of its 5.9-litre V-12 engine with 490 bhp and Touchtronic automatic transmission.
Outlook and Implications
While this is by no means a comprehensive list of the launches that will take place at the motor show, with more to come before the doors open and at the press conferences, it gives an indication of the efforts that automakers are making following the economic downturn that first hit a little over two years ago. VW's display will underline its ambitious plans to become the largest automaker in the world by 2018, with a broader range of models in an effort to attract the maximum amount of consumer interest. These roll outs are likely to become commonplace as the automaker builds momentum towards this target. Others are showing off models that will be increasingly relevant as automakers face up to stiffer environmental regulations and consumers come under pressure from emissions related taxation and rising energy costs. The event will see the full remit of powertrain options that will be provided by automakers over the next few years, from advanced internal combustion engine designs, hybrids which combine these with battery-powered motors, plug-in vehicles such as range extended vehicles and full EVs. The recovery of the luxury car market will also enter full flow, with Lamborghini, Jaguar, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce and Pagani all unveiling new vehicles or concepts as well as those noted above. However, the growth in demand for such vehicles is unlikely to come from what the former core markets such as Europe and North America, but instead from the economies with the greatest potential for growth, such as Brazil, India, Russia and of course China. With this in mind, we may well see that events in these regions begin to take precedence over the more established order in future for these companies.