Latest news with #PassengerVehicles
The Herald
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Herald
Tata Motors to relaunch passenger vehicles in South Africa
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV), a subsidiary of Indian carmaker Tata Motors, will re-enter the South African market through a new distribution agreement with Motus Holdings. The company, which sells a range of models in its home market, from compact hatchbacks to SUVs, said on Wednesday that its local line-up will feature segment-leading safety, modern design and competitive pricing. 'South Africa is an important market in our global expansion journey,' said Yash Khandelwal, head international business, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. 'With our class-leading products and a reputed partner in Motus, we are here to offer South African customers a choice of vehicles that are safe, stylish and innovation-driven. We will deliver a distinctive and future-ready mobility experience, backed by attractive pricing, competitive financing and industry-leading aftersales support.' TMPV said its South African range will include SUVs, crossovers and entry-level hatchbacks. All its current passenger models in India have four- or five-star New Car Assessment Programme safety ratings, either from Global NCAP or Bharat NCAP.
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The changing landscape of European bodystyles
The simultaneous rise of SUVs and decline of Hatchbacks indicates that consumers are increasingly favoring vehicles that provide more space and versatility. According to GlobalData's bodystyle analysis, SUVs are estimated to account for 58% of Passenger Vehicles (PVs) in Western Europe by the end of 2025, up from 37% in 2020. This shift in consumer preference has allowed the SUV segment to gain market share at the expense of Conventional Vehicles, including Hatchbacks, Sedans, and MPVs. In 2020, Hatchbacks were still the most popular bodystyle in Western Europe, holding a 40% market share. However, in 2021, SUVs overtook Hatchbacks to claim the largest share, marking an important shift in the composition of the regional market. Supply chain crises, cost pressures associated with electrification, and evolving consumer preferences have compelled manufacturers to adapt their offerings, with less profitable Small Cars—particularly Hatchbacks—caught in the crossfire. Pandemic-induced supply issues forced automakers to prioritize higher-margin vehicles, which expedited the decline in sales of smaller Hatchback models. By the end of 2025, Hatchbacks are projected to fall to a market share of just 26%, with a further decline to 24% expected by 2030. However, the fact that they remain a key entry-level option should prevent their market share from dropping to the lows seen for other affected bodystyles, such as MPVs. The emergence of Chinese automakers highlights the importance of SUVs in the European market. According to GlobalData's brand origin data, SUVs are expected to comprise over 70% of Chinese brand sales in Western Europe this year. Partly thanks to their economies of scale and government support, these manufacturers are now effectively competing worldwide. However, our forecast reveals a contrasting scenario in China, where only 52% of sales from domestic manufacturers will be accounted for by SUVs. This underscores the stronger European preference for SUVs, prompting Chinese manufacturers to strategically focus their efforts on this segment. Another segment that is projected to grow in the coming years is the Sedan bodystyle, which is set to be better supported by the market's shift toward Electric Vehicles (EVs), potentially due to their weight and aerodynamic advantages. Additionally, Sedans are typically designed with an emphasis on ride comfort, making them an appealing choice for many customers. Kia and Lexus are both scheduled to launch Midsize electric Sedans in 2027, while Audi is expected to launch an electric successor to the A3 in both Sedan and Hatchback variations. SUVs are already dominant in the Premium market, limiting the potential for growth through 2030. Nonetheless, our forecast anticipates that this bodystyle will expand from 43% in 2020 to 64%. Meanwhile, Hatchbacks such as the A-class and A1 are expected to be discontinued and the loss of these volume models will put downward pressure on the bodystyle's market share. However, several automakers are streamlining their production efforts to focus on more profitable models as a result. For example, Volvo is continuing to add a range of electric SUVs to its line-up. The EX30 and EX90 were introduced in 2023 and 2024, respectively, while production of the EX60 is expected to commence in 2026. In the Non-Premium segment, SUVs are estimated to expand from 35% in 2020 to 61% in 2030, with many brands adding several electric SUVs across the forecast horizon. For example, Honda Group is set to roll out the 0 SUV, while Toyota Group is scheduled to launch a Large electric SUV in 2028. In addition, Volkswagen Group is also ramping up to establish a significant presence in the SUV segment, with plans to introduce a series of models across Europe. Notable releases include the ID.2, expected in Q4 2025, along with the Skoda Epiq in 2026, and the electric T-Roc in 2029. Expected to fare better than Hatchbacks are Sedans and Wagons, which will likely be more resistant to losing market share. In Germany, the share of Wagons is particularly robust, with the bodystyle holding 16% of the country's PV market in 2024. Although their popularity has faded over the years, they remain a practical and fuel-efficient alternative to SUVs. In summary, the transition to SUVs is primarily driven by evolving consumer preferences, profitability considerations, and strategic responses to market trends and supply chain dynamics. While Hatchbacks and smaller vehicles face a challenging road ahead, the resilience of Sedans and Wagons suggests that there is still room for diversity in the market. The rise of electric SUVs and the entry of new players, particularly from China, will continue to reshape the competitive landscape, forcing established automakers to innovate and adapt. Georgia Lakey, Research Assistant, Research and Analysis This article was first published on GlobalData's dedicated research platform, the . "The changing landscape of European bodystyles" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. 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Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
India vehicle market forecast to strengthen in coming months
India's Light Vehicle (LV) wholesale figures for April decreased by 7% month-on-month (MoM) to 405k units, indicative of the expected seasonal decline from March. However, more notably, this marked a 5% year-on-year (YoY) increase. Passenger Vehicle (PV) sales dipped by 9% from the preceding month, yet they exhibited a 5% YoY rise, totaling 346k units. Additionally, Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) with a gross vehicle weight of up to 6T reported sales of 59k units — an uptick of 2% MoM and 5% YoY. A resurgence in the stock markets, prompted by a pause in the global tariff conflict, has reinforced consumer confidence. The festivals of Chaitra Navratri, Akshaya Tritiya, Bengali New Year, Baisakhi, and Vishu also played a role, while automakers and dealerships maintained their promotional efforts to encourage purchases. Mirroring the seasonal pattern, retail sales of PVs and LCVs in April declined by 2% MoM to 397k units, compared to 403k units in March and 349k units in February, according to data from the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA). Retail sales of PVs remained unchanged compared to the previous month, partly as a result of inflationary pressures that have impacted discretionary income, along with a limited number of new model introductions. Furthermore, retail sales of LCVs saw an 11% MoM decrease, attributable to a slowdown in e-commerce activity and intensified competition from Electric Three-Wheelers. Consequently, PV inventory levels were substantial, with a 50-day supply at the end of April, as reported by FADA. This is consistent with the 50-55 days in March and the 50-52 days in February. From January to April, India's LV wholesales saw a 3% YoY improvement, reaching 1.7 million units. This figure consists of 1.5 million PVs (+4% YoY) and 240k LCVs (-1% YoY). Looking to May, a robust agricultural cycle, along with favorable crop prices, promises a positive impact on the rural economy. Moreover, the Reserve Bank of India's recent bond purchases are expected to infuse excess liquidity into the banking system, FADA notes. This could potentially lead to reduced lending rates and enhanced affordability for auto loans. PV retail sales in May are anticipated to remain stable but subdued, as consumers await new model launches and grapple with high financing costs, according to FADA. Additionally, LCV sales may be affected by a continued slowdown in e-commerce activity and growing competition from Electric Three-Wheelers. Although we have made minor adjustments to our 2025 LV forecast, our projection for the year's LV sales remains at 5 million units, reflecting a 3% YoY increase. Specifically, we have slightly reduced the PV forecast by 3k units to 4.3 million units, which corresponds to a growth rate of 3% YoY. We have also revised the LCV forecast downward by 2% (-14k units) to 729k units (+5% YoY), which were predominantly due to a moderated outlook for Mahindra. Our forecast for subsequent years remains consistent with last month's projections and we maintain our expectation that India's LV sales will increase to 6.8 million units by 2032, comprising 5.9 million PVs and 924k LCVs. This article was first published on GlobalData's dedicated research platform, the . "India vehicle market forecast to strengthen in coming months – GlobalData" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
