Cars GlobalMag October 2013

CORPORATE & FIGURES
CORPORATE & FIGURES
Europe
Sweden
Volvo close to reach break-even in 2013
Volvo has reported an operating result for the first half year of 2013 of -577 MSEK
(349 MSEK). Revenue over the period amounted to 56,364 MSEK (65,411 MSEK). The
result is in line with expectations and the Group sees realistic possibilities to deliver
a break-even operating result for the full year. The first six months of 2013 were characterised
by strong growth in China and continuing challenging market circumstances
in the mature markets of Europe. Overall, lower volumes and higher levels of
discounts as well as unfavourable exchange rate developments negatively impacted
sales and earnings. The second half of 2013 is expected to generate higher sales
volumes and margins for the group, as the six renewed models as well as the new
powertrain family Drive-E meet markets fully. For the full year, sales volumes for Volvo
Car Group are expected to be in line with 2012. Growth is expected in China, whereas
the European market is expected to continue to be challenging. In the US, sales are expected
to remain at similar levels to last year due to a highly competitive environment.
North America
United States
Chrysler Group August results
Chrysler Group reported U.S. sales of 165,552 units, a 12 percent increase compared
with sales in August 2012 (148,472 units), and the group’s best August sales since
2007. The Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram Truck and FIAT brands each posted year-overyear
sales gains in August compared with the same month a year ago. The Ram Truck
brand’s 29 percent increase was the largest sales gain of any Chrysler Group brand
during the month. Chrysler Group extended its streak of year-over-year sales gains to
41-consecutive months in August. Chrysler Group had six models that set sales records
in August. The Dodge Journey mid-size crossover, with its 12 percent increase, had its
best sales month ever. In addition, the Dodge Challenger, Dodge Dart, Jeep Wrangler,
Jeep Compass, and Jeep Patriot each recorded their best sales for the month of August.
Europe
Germany
Porsche strong U.S. and China sales
In eight months, the sports car manufacturer has already delivered more than 106,000
vehicles to its customers all over the world – an increase of 15 per cent compared with
the same period last year. In addition to the Cayenne, which has been delivered to more
than 55,000 customers, the iconic 911 sports car is also very much in demand, with
around 20,000 models being sold. In the USA in particular, the 911, Boxster/Cayman,
Cayenne and Panamera model lines proved very popular, with around 28,500 models
being delivered – a quarter more than in the same period the previous year. China retains
second place when it comes to Porsche sales: More than 24,500 new cars were delivered
to customers in China, 17 per cent more than between January and August last year.
Asia
Japan
Subaru
strenghtens
sales
operations
in China
Subaru announced
that Subaru of China
Ltd. (SOC), its sales
subsidiary in China,
has completed procedures
to become
a joint venture with
China’s leading auto
dealer group, Pangda
Automobile Trade
Co., Ltd. (Pangda).
The purpose of this
structure change is
to consolidate Subaru’s
sales, marketing
and dealer management
operations into
SOC as the brand’s
sole distributor in
China, whereas those
activities used
to be managed on
a region-by-region
basis by local sales
companies. Under
the new structure,
SOC intends to
implement more
unified, consistent
sales and marketing
initiatives, advance
strategic dealer
development and
strengthen its profit
base with the goal to
enhance the Subaru
brand and sales in
the Chinese market,
one of the top priority
markets for Subaru
along with the
U.S. and Japan.