This week's gossip from the automotive industry has news of the future of internal combustion-engined cars, Peugeot's thoughts on market share, Mitsubishi's doubling sales and Opel's thoughts on the Mokka X vs the Crossland.
The future of internal combustion-engined cars
Rising levels of wealth and the strength of emerging markets mean that as many internal combustion-engined cars are likely to be sold in 2025 as today.
“Companies talk up the fact that 25% of their sales will be of electrified cars by then,” said an industry insider, “but it will be 25% of sales much larger than today’s.”
Read more: Engine downsizing to 'come to an end' says Volkswagen boss, EV and combustion-engined car ownership costs to equalise by 2025, says Renault
Peugeot's market share goals
Peugeot boss Jean-Philippe Imparato has been able to improve residual values on his cars because he is under no obligation to hit a target for market share.
Talking about the best-ever residuals of the 3008, he said: “There’s no pressure to get involved in toxic activity like rental or bulk deals. I want to be a high-end generalist car firm. Discounts will kill us.”
Read more: Peugeot 308 gets upgraded engines and extra safety tech for 2017, Striking Peugeot Instinct shooting brake concept revealed
Mitsubishi's doubling sales
Mitsubishi UK boss Lance Bradley believes next year’s launch of the Eclipse Cross, a Seat Ateca rival, and Shogun Sport large SUV will almost double UK sales by 2020.
“Mitsubishi sold 26,000 cars in Britain last year, but I expect to reach 50,000,” he said, adding that the firm’s expansion would continue with a smaller electric SUV inspired by the EX Geneva show concept.
Read more: Mitsubishi Shogun Sport to go on sale in UK in January, New Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SUV revealed
Mokka X or Crossland?
Opel product marketing director Andreas Marx has defended the firm’s decision to sell two similarly sized B-segment SUVs, the Mokka X and Crossland.
“It’s a fast-growing segment, so having two different offerings is an advantage,” he said. “The Crossland is for people who swap drivers from time to time, whereas the Mokka X is more egotistic. The differences are clear.”
Read more: Vauxhall Crossland X 1.6T D 99 Ecotech Blueinjection Elite review, Mainstream family cars must boost appeal to fight premium rivals
Join the debate
Add your comment
What a truly ugly thing is
@Greenracer
Yes but (to use marketing hype) 'the rugged New Shogun Sport continues the proud history of previous Sport models' - in other words, the new one's ugly but then they always were ugly... On a separate issue, can someone please explain to me what's sporty about the Shogun 'Sport'?
Mokka X vs Crossland
Mokka X or Crossland?