Finland May 2017

Mercedes GLC350e new darling in hot market

Finland has become one of my favorite markets to report, because news are always good, May confirmed that trend, with a total of 217 EV's were sold in Finland, up 61% regarding the same month last year, with YTD now up 78% YoY, to 1.015 units, with the EV Share up again to a record 1,9%.

Looking at the models ranking, the Mercedes GLC350e is a hot topic, rising from #15 on 2016 to an untouchable leadership (20% share, 11% above the runner-up), with 207 units.

The new runner-up is the VW Passat GTE, that thanks to 27 deliveries (Best performance in 2017), surpassed two SUV's, the #3 Audi Q7 e-Tron and #4 Volvo XC90 PHEV.

Underlining the rise of BEV's (+113% YoY) in this tipically PHEV market, we have record results (10 units) of the Renault Zoe, no doubt ZE 40 units, while the BMW i3 also delivered a record 12 units, 10 of them being BEV's...

It seems that thanks to the increased range, these two small BEVs have finally found their place in the market.

Looking at the manufacturers ranking, Mercedes (24%) is in the lead, followed by BMW (18%) in Second, with Tesla, Volkswagen and Audi running for Third, all with 10% share.

Pl	Finland	May	YTD '17	%	Pl '16
1 2 3 4	Mercedes GLC350e Volkswagen Passat GTE Audi Q7 e-Tron Volvo XC90 T8	43 27 12 6	207 90 84 73	20 9 8 7	15 2 9 1
5	BMW 330e	3	58	6	3
6 7	Tesla Model S BMW 225xe Active Tourer	11 6	56 48	6 5	5 7
8	Nissan Leaf	2	47	5	7
9 10 11 12 13 14	Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Tesla Model X BMW X5 40e BMW 530e Mercedes E350e Hyundai Ioniq Electric	17 7 7 4 19 5	43 39 34 28 26 24	4 4 3 3 3 2	6 14 4 N/A N/A N/A
15	Renault Zoe	10	21	2	10
16 17 17 19 20 21 22 23 23 25 26 27 27 27 30	BMW i3 Porsche Cayenne Plug-In Audi A3 e-Tron Kia Optima PHEV Volkswagen Golf GTE BMW 740e Mercedes GLE500e BMW i8 Mercedes S500e Volkswagen e-Golf Nissan e-NV200 / Evalia Mercedes B250e Volkswagen e-Up! Mini Countryman PHEV Volvo V60 Plug-In	12 6 5 3 4 1 1 2 1 1 2	21 20 20 16 15 12 11 4 4 4 3 2 2 2 1	2 2 2 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
	TOTAL	217	1. 015	100

Source: trafi.fi

New Zealand May 2017

Record Month 

A record 81 plug-ins were sold last month, up a spectacular 200% YoY, with the EV Share at 0.5%.

Looking at the models ranking, things are back to normal, the 2016 Best Seller Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV returned to the leadership, with 82 units (Up 19% YoY), possibly due to increased stock availability (As in: Netherlands and the UK stopped absorbing Outlanders in large amounts)

Three all electric models follow the Japanese SUV, with the Tesla Model S ahead of the trio, with 46 units, below the Californian Sports Sedan, we have the talented Hyundai Ioniq Electric in Third Place, with 44 units, this being one of the highest standings in the world for the Korean model. Kudos to the local importer for getting units that others don't want can't get their hands to.

The Tesla Model X had a record 14 deliveries in May, rising to #4 and making three BEVs in the Top 4. 

In the Manufacturers ranking, the six times Best Selling Manufacturer Mitsubishi is back at the throne, with 29% share, but with Tesla not that far (26% share), it will be an entretaining race to follow. 

The race for Third Place is also close, with Hyundai (16%) running from BMW (14%).

Pl	New Zealand	May	YTD '17	%	'16Pl
1	Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV	21	82	29	1
2 3 4 5 6 7 7 7 10 11 11 13	Tesla Model S Hyundai Ioniq Electric Tesla Model X BMW i3 Audi A3 e-Tron BMW i8 Mercedes GLE500e Mercedes C350e BMW 225xe Active Tourer Porsche Cayenne Plug-in Volvo XC90 PHEV BMW 330e	12 13 14 5 3 1 2 3 2	46 44 27 22 11 7 7 7 6 5 5 4	16 16 10 8 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 1	6 13 N/A 2 4 8 N/A 9 7 9 5 15
13 13 16	Audi Q7 e-Tron BMW X5 40e BMW 740e	4 1	4 4 1	1 1 0	N/A  N/A 16
TOTAL		81	282	100

Source: mia.org.nz

Slovakia May 2017

Nissan Leaf #1 in Hot Selling Slovakia

Another market is on the EV Sales radar, Slovakia, that thanks to incentives approved in the beggining of this year, has seen sales jump nine(!) fold to 146 units until May, with 0.4% share. 

The Nissan Leaf is the Best Selling car in the country, but thanks to its extensive lineup, BMW is the #1 brand, with 37% share, followed by Nissan (18%) and Volkswagen (16%).

PHEV's have 51% share and are growing faster than BEV's, but until this markets starts to mature, anything can happen.

Pl	Slovakia	May	YTD	%	'16Pl
1 2 2	Nissan Leaf BMW 225xe Active Tourer e) BMW i3	4 3 5	18 14 14	12 10 9	1 N/A 4
4 5	BMW X5 PHEV e) Volkswagen e-Golf e)	3 1	12 11	8 8	N/A N/A
5	Volkswagen e-Up!		11	8	2
7 7	Kia Soul EV Volvo XC90 PHEV Others	5 18	10 10 36	7 7 0	3N/A
TOTAL		39	146	100

Source: motofocus.sk
e) Estimate

China May 2017

SAIC Roewe eRX5

Zhidou D2 EV #1 in May

The Chinese market had more than 40.000 new EV's zooming the streets last month, a 49% increase over the same month last year, with the EV market share now at 1.4%, close to last year record (1.45%), expect that as the year progresses and sales expand, the Chinese PEV market could surpass the 2% share.

This is a highly protected market, where 94% of sales belong to domestic brands. Of the 7% left for foreign brands, 5% belong to Tesla, with the remaining 1% divided by all other auto makers.

In May the Zhidou D2 EV was the best-selling model, but BAIC’s golden boy, the EC180, continues ahead of the YTD ranking, while BYD, with over 8.000 units registered in May, is stepping up the pace and chasing the leader Beijing Auto in the race for the Best Selling manufacturer. 

Here’s May Top 5 Best Selling models individual performance:

#1 – Zhidou D2 EV: Bare-basic city vehicle doesn’t inspire anyone, but surely continues to be delivered in record quantities (4.471 units in May), probably thanks to big fleet deals. This vehicle is sold as a Quadricycle (Think Renault Twizy class) in some European countries, with the following specs: 12 kWh battery, 120 kms range, 90 kms max.speed, all this for some 16.000€.

#2 - BAIC EC180: After three consecutive Best Seller trophies, the EC180 sales dropped 10% regarding the previous month, with “only” 3.895 units being delivered. Has the little city EV found its natural sales level around 4.000 units per month? If so, it would be a little disappointing, as this is a car has decent design, specs (eg, 20 kWh battery) and price (19.000€), which would make it the strongest candidate for the Best Seller trophy, which would be a first for BAIC and the first time since 2013 that a BYD didn’t won the trophy.

#3 – BYD e5: The current BYD best seller is the low key e5 sedan, that delivered another record performance, with 3.131 units last month. A favorite among taxi companies, along with its e6 older brother, the plain-Jane looking e5 actually has a lot going for it, spec-wise: 305 kms range from a 48 kWh battery and a healthy 218 hp, all for 230.000 Yuan (33.400$). A wolf in sheep’s clothing, isn’t it?

#4 – Geely Emgrand EV: While Geely is busy buying everything that moves (Proton, Lotus…) looking to become a sort of Chinese Volkswagen Group, with multiple brands under the same stable, that hasn’t stopped it from delivering 3.015 units of its EV model in May, a year best, with this compact sedan (Think Toyota Corolla) set to become one of the Best Sellers of the Year. Main specs: 253 kms range, 95 hp, 250.000 Yuan (36.500$).

#5 – JAC iEV6S: A vehicle in the intersection of the two hottest trends in China, Crossovers and EV’s, success seemed to escape it due to battery production constraints, but with a record 2.572 deliveries last month, those days seem to be a thing of the past, so expect this Nissan Juke-sized Crossover to be a frequent sight here in the coming months, not only it has an attractive design, inside and out, but also decent specs: 114 hp, 251 kms range coming from a 33 kWh battery provided by Samsung.

 

Chery eQ1

Year-to-Date Ranking – BAIC vs BYD

Below the top two positions were a few changes, with the JAC iEV6S jumping to #7, while the Changan Benni EV also climbed in the ranking, up to #12, thanks to a record delivery of 2.269 units.

Other models also had record performances, like the Chery eQ1, allowing it to join the ranking and close the Top 20, thanks to a record 1.660 registrations, while the Horki 300E sedan delivered a best ever 836 units, also enabling it to enter the Top 20, at #18.

A reference for the 2.068 deliveries of the BYD Song PHEV in its full deliveries month, a result that bodes well for the upcoming “Dynasty” clan (Song BEV, Yuan PHEV, Yuan BEV), sure to arrive in the next few months.

Looking at the manufacturers ranking, BAIC (18%, down 1%) is seeing its leadership under threat, now followed by a recovering BYD (17%, up 1%), with less than 2.000 units separating both brands, BYD can already surpass Beijing Auto in June.

In Third Place we have  Zhidou, with 10% share, closely followed by SAIC (9%).

Pl	China	May	YTD	%
1	BAIC EC180	3.895	15.376	11
2	Zhidou D2 EV	4.471	13.979	10
3	SAIC Roewe eRX5	1.879	7.664	6
4	BYD e5	3.131	7.620	6
5 6 7 8	Geely Emgrand EV BYD Tang JAC iEV6S JMC E100	3.015 1.589 2.572 802	7.504 5.929 5.196 4.983	6 4 4 4
9	Kandi K17 EV	4	4.489	3
10	Zotye E200	1.086	4.381	3
11	BAIC EU260	1.010	4.358	3
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20	Changan Benni EV Tesla Model X e) BYD Qin EV300 Chery eQ BAIC EX200 JMC E200 Horki 300E BYD e6 Chery eQ1 Others	2.269 850 839 970 780 601 836 652 1.660 7.807	4.286 4.114 3.524 3.139 3.057 2.898 2.763 2.732 2.695 24.097	3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2
	TOTAL Market	40.718	134.784	100

Editor note: Some models data were changed regarding the previous month.

Germany May 2017

Running for #1

Two horse race (With a third one approaching) in a boiling market

Over 3.700 plug-in passenger cars were registered last month in Germany, shooting  185% YoY, with YTD sales now growing 102%, the German market is now one of the hottest markets for PEVs, with the PEV share now at a record 1.2%.

Looking at May Best Selling models, the Audi A3 e-Tron was once again the leader, registering a record 516 units (Is Audi finally wanting to sell their plug-ins?), followed by two BMW's, the 225xe Active Tourer (298 deliveries, new record), and the i3 hot hatch (297).

Below these three, we find the Renault Zoe, still struggling with delivery issues, with the Tesla Model S closing the Top 5 with 206 deliveries, its best performance ever in an off-peak month.

Could this prelude a record month for the American Sports Sedan in June?

Pl	Model	Sales
1	Audi A3 e-Tron	516
2	BMW 225xe A. Tourer	298
3	BMW i3 *	297
3	Renault Zoe	271
5	Tesla Model S	206

Looking at the YTD ranking, the Top Two BMW i3 and Renault Zoe continue their two horse race at the top, but the Audi A3 e-Tron is closing in, so it won't be long to see another Best Seller candidate, with the Top 3 models separated by less than 100 units, this market confirms itself as one of the most entertaining in the plug-in world.

Below the podium, things aren't less interessing, with several changes across the ranking:

- The Mercedes GLC350e (165 units in May, new record) jumped four positions to #9, surpassing its C350e relative and becoming the best selling Mercedes, thus confirming its hot seller status;

- The Tesla Model X climbed one position to #11, thanks to 116 deliveries its best result in off-peak months, which could mean a Top 10 position in June for Tesla's SUV;

- Four positions jump for the Hyundai Ioniq Electric, now at #20, thanks to a record 130 registrations in May, its best performance ever, which could mean that the Korean automaker is increasing the deliveries pace;

- Good performances across the Volkswagen line-up, with two models hitting year best numbers (e-Golf - 132 units; Passat GTE - 177) and two climbs, one for the Golf GTE, up one position to #14, and the other for the e-Golf, now #16.  

In the manufacturers ranking, BMW (23%, down 1%) is on the lead, followed by Mercedes Audi and Volkswagen, all with 12% share.

Pl	Germany	May	YTD	%	'16 Pl
1 2	Renault Zoe BMW i3 *	271 297	1.749 1.745	10 10	2 1
3 4	Audi A3 e-Tron Mitsu. Outlander PHEV	516 201	1.670 1.299	10 7	4 6
5 6	BMW 225xe Active Tour. Tesla Model S	298 206	1.288 1.046	7 6	10 5
7	Kia Soul EV	108	887	5	7
8	Volkswagen Passat GTE	177	685	4	9
9 10 11	Mercedes GLC350e Mercedes C350e e) Tesla Model X	165 83 116	516 510 496	3 3 3	23 15 19
12 13	Volkswagen e-Up! Nissan Leaf	96 68	487 480	3 3	17 11
14 15 16 17	Volkswagen Golf GTE Mercedes B250e Volkswagen e-Golf Mercedes E350e	186 46 132 94	465 383 355 316	3 2 2 2	8 18 12 32
18	Audi Q7 e-Tron	62	288	2	13
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35	BMW 330e Hyundai Ioniq Electric BMW 530e Volvo XC90 T8 Mercedes GLE500e Volvo V60 Plug-In Peugeot iOn Porsche Cayenne PHEV BMW i8 BMW 740e Mercedes S500e e) BMW X5 40e Citroen C-Zero Mini Countryman PHEV Nissan e-NV200/Evalia Opel Ampera-e Por. Panamera PHEV Others	54 130 88 18 26 40 20 35 25 17 20 32 25 4 14 2 7 75	280 271 225 222 191 185 162 151 129 122 119 111 101 92 80 73 68 110	2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 1	20 36 N/A 13 24 25 20 21 27 28 26 22 34 N/A 29 N/A 30
	TOTAL	3.788	17.401	100

* - 201 Bev + 96 Rex 

Source: kba.de

Tesla Model S & Others

Pl	Model	Feb. Sales
1	Mercedes S-Class	670
2	BMW 7-Series	408
3	Porsche Panamera	370
4	Audi A8	242
5	Tesla Model S	206

As the Tesla Sports Sedan reaches historical high levels, the usual direct competitors are starting to be left behind, so it's time to look upwards and see who's next on the list of  the Model S ICE-killing.

Time to focus then on the BMW and Mercedes flagship vessels, the Mercedes S-Class registered 670 units last month, while the BMW 7-Series registered 408 units, staying comfortably ahead of the Californian, but if we compare it directly with the Sports Sedan crowd, only the Porsche Panamera outruns Tesla, with the Mercedes (CLS - 190 units) and Audi (A7 - 137 units) being left behind.

And this happens on an off-peak month, will be interesting to look at the next month results... 

Tesla Model X & Others

Pl	Model	March Sales
1	Range Rover Sport	589
2	Jaguar F-Pace	392
3	Porsche Cayenne	466
4	BMW X6	173
5	Tesla Model X	116

The Tesla Sports SUV is starting to tickle its most direct competitors, even if numbers are far behind the ones of the Cayenne and F-Pace, it is enough to reach the tail of the BMW X6, one of the pioneers of the whole Sports SUV oxymoron.

Will the Model X reach Fourth Place in June?