UK Engine Production By Manufacturer : 2015-16

The new JLR engine plant in Wolverhampton, UK


UK engine production is one of the few recent success stories in manufacturing. From the nation that brought the world the industrial revolution that is a sad indictment. Under-investment, poor labour relations, a high currency value and little loyalty from the public all played their part. It suits some manufacturers to make engines in the UK so

Citroën Germany Sales (Model) : 2010-2016

Between 2000 to 2009, Citroën sales in Germany increased from 50,000 to 100,000. Leading the way was the tiny C1 model, introduced in 2006 and by 2009, over 22,000 sales were achieved for that model. Citroën's total market share was up to 2.9%. Things were looking good but change was in the wind.

In 2010, the DS brand was spun off as a premium alternative to Citroën. Sales in Germany fell 23%

Nissan South Africa : Holding Its Own

For the last decade and a half, Nissan has been averaging just over the 4% mark for market share in the RSA. It's still around there but maintained only with the recent help of its sub-brand Datsun. As mentioned in others in this series, there is a market here for budget model cars and Nissan has been able to accommodate those customers.

In the last few years as sales in the RSA have

Toyota UK Sales 2010-16 (by model)

Toyota had a good decade previously in the UK, yet it's share slipped during the six years of this period under discussion. To find the problem isn't obvious at first. Only the medium large Avensis model fell substantially. However, the overall market in the UK was very strong for sales and while Toyota didn't lose sales, they didn't grow fully with the market.

I think Toyota was simply not

Porsche Germany Sales (Model) : 2010-2016

Porsche drivers park poorly. Fact


Porsche is a niche brand in Germany, traditionally selling expensive sports cars. At that time, the marque took about 0.3% of total German sales.  The Cayenne SUV arrived in 2002 and moved the brand into the 0.5% area. When the Panamera 4-door car came along in 2009, 0.7% became the standard penetration. 2014 marked the arrival of the compact Macan SUV so 0.9

Land Rover South Africa : Trying Times

Land Rover has enjoyed disproportionate success over the years in the Republic. Rural expanses in often arid conditions are what we think of and that picture is true to a point. Of course, many Land Rovers are used mainly as urban vehicles like in most countries but if required, they are suitable for off road trekking.

Considering sales that exclude commercial sales of the Defender model, LR

Toyota UK Sales 2000-09 (by model)

Toyota UK finished the 90's with 3.5% share of the UK market. Could it improve from there? Changes came and fast. The Carina became the Avensis in 1997, the Yaris came from the Starlet in 1999, while the Corolla changed to the Auris in 2006. Later in the decade, the number of models were reduced but the ones coming in were higher volume. So the 3.5% became 5.1% ten years later.

Of the new

Class Action

Cars pollute. We cannot get around that and in big cities, that is a huge problem. Around the world people die by the thousands every year from breathing in dirty air. Diesel engines are particularly bad but are fuel efficient, making them popular with buyers. In many European nations, the cost of ownership varies according to how much in the way of noxious gases it spews out.

Step up VW,  a

VW Germany Sales (Model) : 2010-2016

You have to go back to the mid 1960's to find a time that VW had over 30% market share in Germany. It was eventually during the 1990's when the figure started dipping under 20%. There was an upturn a few years back when 21.8% was achieved - the best since 1989 - but things are on a down again. Of course, these things can be cyclical.

Another thing that intrigues me is the absence of many SUV

Toyota South Africa : Business As Usual

Toyota is a big player in the RSA. For passenger cars #2, but add light commercial vehicles and it is comfortably numero uno. Car demand here is a mix of standards, both better and lesser quality have a market. Doing both is what achieves the best results as many including Toyota do.

Some models you may be unfamiliar with.

The Etios is the second best seller in the range and it is a small

Toyota UK Sales 1990-99 (by model)

Toyota hit the ground running in the 1970's, plateaued in the 1980's so how did things go in the 1990's? Much better as it took a greater share of the market. After a percentage of 1.8% in 1989, a gradual improvement was registered through the decade, peaking at 3.5% in 1998 an 1999. It was now in 8th place up from 12th in that '89 to '99 period. Nothing startling but nicely progressive in a

Honda South Africa : Flying Under The Radar

Honda is a company that eschews discounting and relies on its products to sell at a price they deem reasonable. For that reason mainland Europe hasn't been a happy hunting ground for the marque, along with its conservative image. In Asia Honda is very much in demand as too North America. In the RSA, it is a fringe player that has carved out a modest niche for itself.

Back in 2001, the brand

Toyota UK Sales 1980-89 (by model)

The Toyota Camry folks


The 1980's were an unusual period. The 70's had seen consistent growth and 1980 heralded continued increase with a strong 2.3% market share. However, that proved a false dawn as 1981 witnessed a 31.5% drop in sales and share down to 1.6%. Things picked up from there but so did total sales so by 1989, 1.8% was the market penetration.

The Corolla was the main model,