Stellantis Vigo prevé más demanda: fabricará 2.300 vehículos al día desde mayo

Los últimos parones de producción por la falta de chips no merman las previsiones positivas de Stellantis Vigo (antigua PSA). De hecho, para el próximo trimestre, el que va de mayo a julio, el pronóstico es de “alta actividad”, según informan fuentes oficiales. Es más, la fábrica automovilística espera una “demanda mayor que la prevista” y una producción en torno a los 2.300 vehículos al día.

in Atlántico, 29-04-2021


Además, para mayo, la empresa mantiene la “saturación productiva” en los equipos con un turno de noche de amplia apertura, con un domingo de trabajo para recuperar pérdidas de producción y findes de semana con saturación en sábados y alta actividad los domingos.

Líder de ventas

En el primer trimestre del año, Stellantis ocupó el primer puesto entre los fabricantes de automóviles, con una cuota de mercado del 23,6% en turismos y vehículos comerciales ligeros (más de 850.000 automóviles matriculados). El Peugeot 208 fue el modelo más vendido en Europa ese tiempo.

 

BMW Group expands e-drive production network: Start of battery component production in Leipzig and Regensburg

  • BMW Group now producing high-voltage batteries and battery components at three locations in Germany alone: Dingolfing, Leipzig and Regensburg
  • Less than a year from decision to start of production in Leipzig and Regensburg
  • Production of battery components for BMW Group’s fifth generation of fully-electric vehicles

in BMW Group, 30-04-2021


The BMW Group is launching production of battery components at its plants in Leipzig and Regensburg and expanding its e-drive production network. It has been less than a year since the decision was made to expand production capacity for e-drives in Germany. BMW Group Plant Leipzig will launch series production of battery modules on Monday, 3 May 2021, while BMW Group Plant Regensburg began coating battery cells for high-voltage batteries in April 2021. High-voltage batteries will also be produced in Regensburg from 2022. “We expect at least 50 percent of the vehicles we deliver to our customers worldwide to be fully electric by 2030,” said Michael Nikolaides, Senior Vice President Production Engines and E-Drives. “And we are systematically expanding our production network for electric drive trains in response to this.”

The company is investing more than 250 million euros in its Regensburg and Leipzig locations alone to supply the BMW Group’s growing number of electrified vehicles with high-voltage batteries. High-voltage battery components will be used in production of the BMW iX* and BMW i4, both of which will be released onto the market shortly. The production systems are highly flexible and will also supply battery components for other BMW Group electrified vehicles in the future.

“We are increasing capacity at existing locations and developing capabilities at others. In this way, we can make the most of our associates’ expertise and experience and offer them long-term, secure jobs,” Nikolaides added. The BMW Group is investing a total of around 790 million euros in expanding production capacity for drivetrain components for electrified vehicles at its Dingolfing, Leipzig, Regensburg and Steyr locations between 2020 and 2022.


Production of battery modules at BMW Group Plant Leipzig

Leipzig is the BMW Group’s pioneer plant for electromobility and has been building the BMW Group’s first fully-electric vehicle, the BMW i3*, since 2013. Now, the location will also produce electric drivetrain components.

“We are continuing on this track with the launch of battery module production and further enhancing the plant’s future viability for electromobility,” confirmed Hans-Peter Kemser, Plant Director of BMW Group Plant Leipzig. “Plant Leipzig will play an important role in supplying the growing number of BMW Group electrified vehicles with battery components.” The successor to the MINI Countryman, scheduled to come off the production line in Leipzig from 2023, will be released onto the market with an electric drive train. “The expertise and experience gained by staff at our location over the years can be put to good use. Construction of the battery module lines will make a major contribution to long-term job security,” emphasised Kemser.

From May 2021, the 10,000 sq. m. production area previously reserved for the BMW i8 will be used for manufacturing battery modules. Production will get underway with 80 employees working in battery module production; by the end of the year, there will be a staff of around 150. The company will invest more than 100 million euros in the initial phase of battery module production at the Leipzig location between 2020 and 2022.

However, the production line for battery modules that just ramped up is only the beginning: The company has already decided to further increase capacity for battery module production at its Leipzig location. A second production line will come on stream in 2022. This will ensure the company has sufficient volumes to meet growing demand for drivetrains.


Production of battery components and high-voltage batteries at BMW Group Plant Regensburg

BMW Group Plant Regensburg already produces two electrified models – plug-in hybrid variants of the BMW X1* and BMW X2* – and will start building the fully-electric BMW X1 in 2022. The site’s e-mobility expertise and experience will now also be used in production of battery components and high-voltage batteries.

The first of four coating lines for fifth-generation battery cells went on stream in April 2021, occupying a production and logistics area of more than 40,000 sq. m. “Regensburg has made a successful start to production of electric drivetrain components – this is an important milestone in our transformation,” according to Frank Bachmann, Plant Director of BMW Group Plant Regensburg. The three other systems will ramp up in stages between now and the end of 2021 to supply the growing volumes needed for the BMW Group’s fully electric vehicles. Up until now, battery cells have been coated at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing and the BMW Brilliance Automotive Plant Powertrain in Shenyang, China.

Coating increases the battery cell’s mechanical robustness and thermal conductivity. This helps improve insulation and cooling of the fifth-generation e-drive’s even more powerful battery cells. From 2022, the plant in Regensburg will produce high-voltage batteries from battery modules. A total of 100 employees already work in battery component production at the Regensburg site; by the end of 2022, there will be more than 300. The company will invest more than 150 million euros in ramping up production of battery components and high-voltage batteries between 2020 and 2022.

Holistic approach to sustainability

The BMW Group has a clear mission to ensure the “greenest electric vehicle comes from the BMW Group”, starting in production. The BMW Group already sources only green power for its manufacturing locations worldwide.

The BMW Group’s energy goals are geared towards the long term. The company reduced its emissions per vehicle produced by more than 70 percent between 2019 and 2006.The aim is to lower these CO2 emissions by another 80 percent by 2030. This means the BMW Group will have reduced its CO2 emissions from production to less than ten percent of what they were in 2006.

A further corporate objective is to reduce CO2 emissions in the supplier network by 20 percent by 2030. At the same time, the BMW Group has reached an agreement with its suppliers that they will only use renewable green power for producing fifth-generation battery cells.

From battery cell to high-voltage battery

Production of high-voltage batteries can be broken down into two stages: Battery modules are produced in a highly automated process. The lithium-ion cells first undergo a plasma cleaning, before a specially developed system coats the cells to ensure optimal insulation. Next, the battery cells are assembled into a larger unit, the so-called battery module. The BMW Group obtains its battery cells from partners who produce them to the company’s exact specifications. The BMW Group uses different battery cells, depending on which provides the best properties for each vehicle concept.

The battery modules are then installed in an aluminium housing, together with the connections to the vehicle, and the control and cooling units. The size and shape of the aluminium housing and the number of battery modules used differ according to the vehicle variant. This ensures the high-voltage battery is optimally adjusted to the vehicle.

Global e-drive production network focused in Germany

The high-voltage batteries and battery components needed for all BMW and MINI electrified vehicles come from the company’s own battery factories in Dingolfing, Leipzig and Regensburg in Germany, as well as from Spartanburg (USA) and Shenyang (China). The BMW Group has also localised production of high-voltage batteries in Thailand, at its Rayong plant, and is working with the Dräxlmaier Group for this. Munich is home to the e-drive pilot plant and the Battery Cell Competence Centre, where the BMW Group is conducting a full analysis of battery cell value creation processes and refining technology for its production processes.

The company produces electric motors at the Competence Centre for E-Drive Production in Dingolfing and at BMW Group Plant Landshut. BMW Group Plant Steyr builds the housing for the highly integrated fifth-generation e-drive.

With the BMW Group’s electro-offensive now in full swing, increased production capacity is needed for electric drivetrain components. Thanks to intelligent vehicle architectures and a highly flexible production network, the BMW Group will have about a dozen fully-electric models on the roads from 2023. The BMW i3*, MINI Cooper SE* and BMW iX3* already on the market will be joined later this year by the BMW iX* and BMW i4. Between now and 2025, the BMW Group will increase its sales of fully-electric models by an average of well over 50 percent per year – more than ten times the number of units sold in 2020. By the end of 2025, the company will have delivered a total of around two million fully-electric vehicles to customers. Based on current market forecasts, the BMW Group expects at least 50 percent of its global sales to come from fully-electric vehicles in 2030. In total, over the next ten years or so, the company will release about ten million fully-electric vehicles onto the roads.

This means the BMW Group is strategically on track to reach the European Union’s ambitious CO2 reduction targets for 2025 and 2030 as well.

CO2 EMISSIONS & CONSUMPTION.

BMW i3: Fuel consumption combined: 0.0 l/100 km; power consumption combined: 16.3-15.3 kWh/100 km WLTP; CO2 emissions combined: 0 g/km.

BMW i3s: Fuel consumption combined: 0.0 l/100 km; power consumption combined: 16.6-16.3 kWh/100 km WLTP; CO2 emissions combined: 0 g/km.

MINI Cooper SE: Fuel consumption combined: 0.0 l/100 km; power consumption combined: 17.6-15.2 kWh/100 km WLTP, CO2 emissions combined: 0 g/km

BMW iX3: Fuel consumption combined: 0.0 l/100 km; power consumption combined: 17.8-17.5 kWh/100 km WLTP, CO2 emissions combined: 0 g/km.

BMW iX xDrive50: Power consumption combined: < 21 kWh/100 km in the WLTP test cycle; CO2 emissions combined: 0 g/km (data is provisional and based on forecasts)

BMW iX xDrive40: Power consumption combined: < 20 kWh/100 km in the WLTP test cycle; CO2 emissions combined: 0 g/km (data is provisional and based on forecasts)

BMW X1 xDrive25e: Fuel consumption combined: 1.9-1.7 l/100 km WLTP, power consumption combined: 15.4-15.0 kWh/100 km WLTP; CO2 emissions combined: 43 g/km.

BMW X2 xDrive25e: Fuel consumption combined: 1.9 l/100 km WLTP; power consumption combined: 13.7 kWh/100 km WLTP, CO2 emissions combined: 43 g/km.

 

Projeto S-Console, Desenvolvido em Copromoção pelo Centi e pela Simoldes, Conquista Prémio Europeu

Protótipo de seletor de mudanças inteligente para automóveis com mudanças automáticas foi a escolha do público nos OE-A Competition 2021

in ANI, 28-04-2021


O projeto S-Console, desenvolvido em Copromoção pelo CeNTI – Centro de Nanotecnologia e Materiais Técnicos, Funcionais e Inteligentes e pela Simoldes Plásticos, conquistou recentemente o prémio europeu OE-A [Organic and Printed Eletronics Association] Competition 2021, na categoria “Public Choice Award”.

Orientado para o setor automóvel, o projeto foi desenvolvido entre outubro de 2016 e setembro de 2019, sendo apoiado pela ANI através do Sistema de Incentivos à I&DT Empresarial e cofinanciado pelo FEDER – Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional, através do Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização em 437.365,16€, 66% do custo elegível. “Os resultados do projeto S-Console encontram-se, de momento, em avaliação junto das principais OEM [Original Equipment Manufacturer], de modo a se definir potenciais aplicações dos conceitos desenvolvidos, no automóvel do futuro”, informa o consórcio.

O consórcio nasceu para garantir o sucesso do projeto e reúne uma complementaridade de valências, constituído por uma empresa e por uma entidade do sistema de I&I. A empresa promotora é a Simoldes Plásticos, especializada na produção de peças plásticas por injeção e detentora de um profundo conhecimento dos mercados onde estes produtos são comercializados. O CeNTI, entidade do sistema I&I, tem vindo a ser o principal dinamizador das tarefas de I&D, dado que possui o know-how e as melhores e mais modernas tecnologias na área de materiais funcionais e inteligentes, sistemas eletrónicos de controlo, comunicação, sensorização e iluminação, garantindo a transferência dos desenvolvimentos para ambiente industrial.

O projeto e as soluções desenvolvidas no decorrer do mesmo, nomeadamente o seletor de velocidades, pretendeu dar resposta às tendências atuais do setor automóvel e, também, às exigências de uma política mais ecológica e sustentável. O projeto apresenta soluções, que permitem a redução do tempo de montagem, a facilidade de integração das tecnologias e uma utilização mais intuitiva. Esta é uma característica diferenciadora do produto, que se traduz na oferta de soluções mais competitivas para o mercado”, explica o consórcio.

Um ano e meio após a conclusão do projeto de copromoção, o demonstrador do seletor de velocidades do S-Console foi premiado pela OE-A Competition 2021, graças ao protótipo que “permitiu demonstrar a capacidade do consórcio no desenvolvimento de produtos inovadores e diferenciadores, reforçando assim a estratégia de fornecimento de novas soluções de alto conteúdo tecnológico.”

Numa fase em que os principais fabricantes se encontram a analisar as potencialidades do seletor de velocidades, o consórcio formado pela Simoldes Plásticos e pelo ceNTI, adianta que “poderá ser necessária uma otimização das soluções inovadoras desenvolvidas no âmbito do projeto, de forma a cumprirem os requisitos específicos a serem identificados para a sua homologação.”

2023 deverá ser o ano da comercialização

De acordo com o consórcio, os resultados da consola, que promete tornar os carros do futuro mais inteligentes, deverão chegar ao mercado em 2023.

Destinado a um setor em transformação na transição para tecnologias mais sustentáveis, o seletor de velocidades, apresenta-se, afirma o consórcio, como uma solução disruptiva e promissora face ao estado atual do mercado”. Até porque, “as tecnologias utilizadas no desenvolvimento do seletor de velocidades podem ser usadas para integrar novas funcionalidades no interior automóvel ou substituir tecnologias convencionais. A possibilidade de criar superfícies inteligentes, independentemente da forma, abre novas possibilidades para designers e engenheiros, tornando os produtos e as tecnologias atraentes.”

 

Resultados intermédios da parceria UMinho / Bosch apresentados

Inovação, conhecimento e eficiência.

in UMinho, 29-04-2021


A Universidade do Minho e Bosch continuam a traçar um caminho de sucesso para a região e país numa parceria de sucesso que já leva uma década. A 3?ª fase da parceria termina este ano, mas os projetos em comum não ficam por aqui…

Os resultados intermédios do “Sensible Car” e “Factory of the Future” foram esta semana apresentados.

 

 

Renault Group Signs Partnership with Iberdrola to Achieve Zero Carbon Footprint in its Factories in Spain and Portugal

Renault Group and Iberdrola today signed a strategic partnership agreement that will launch projects aimed at reducing CO2 emissions in Renault’s energy consumption in Spain and Portugal. Under the agreement, Iberdrola will supply the manufacturer with long-term green energy, implement heat electrification and energy efficiency solutions, analyse on-site renewable projects, as well as mobility electrification and the use of second life batteries.

in Renault Group, 29-04-2021


This partnership will enable Renault Group to work towards its Zero Carbon Footprint objective, included in its Renaulution Strategic Plan, and which will enable the use of green electricity in its factories and the use of Big Data in the management of energy efficiency, among many other things. The agreement reinforces its leadership strategy in electrification and shows how decarbonisation contributes to making the group more competitive and resilient.

Renault Group, a leader in electric vehicles, and Iberdrola, the global leader in renewable energy, have signed a strategic partnership to decarbonise Renault’s plants over the next three years. Renault Group in Spain is taking a firm step to contribute to the Group’s international goal of halving emissions produced its plants worldwide by 2030. Iberdrola, for its part, reinforces its active role in their strategy to decarbonise industry and the economy.

José Vicente de los Mozos, Industrial Director of Renault Group and Chairman and CEO of Renault Iberia, and Ignacio Galán, Chairman of Iberdrola, signed a collaboration agreement this morning at Renault’s Bodywork and Assembly Plant in Valladolid that lays the foundations for achieving Zero Carbon Footprint at Renault Group’s factories.

Under this partnership, Iberdrola becomes the manufacturer’s renewable energy supplier, through the signing of a long-term agreement for 100% of Renault Group’s energy consumption in Spain. They will also work together on initiatives such as the electrification of heat from thermal processes, the analysis of possible efficiencies in plant energy management through Big Data, the implementation of on-site renewable projects (photovoltaic and wind power plants at its facilities), and the reuse of electric vehicle batteries for energy storage and use in Renault’s energy supply.

The analysis and design of electric mobility and charging solutions is also envisaged, both for internal use by the plants’ own fleets and for linked charging (employees’ vehicles, third-party companies and end customers). In the case of linked charging, these solutions will be integrated and offered as part of the ZE READY TO CHARGE process developed by Renault Group.

José Vicente de los Mozos, Group Industrial Director and President and CEO of Renault Iberia, said: At Renault Group, we firmly believe in our responsibility to the environment, which is why one of our objectives is to achieve zero carbon footprint in our factories, making us a leading automotive company in terms of environmental commitment. To this end, we are establishing agreements such as the one we are signing today with Iberdrola, which will enable us to reduce CO2 emissions from our plants in an innovative way and in line with our use of Industry 4.0 technology, enabling us to continue working on the future competitiveness of our industrial facilities.

 

For Ignacio Galán, Chairman of Iberdrola, the agreement shows the commitment of both companies to decarbonization. We share the same vision to achieve an emission-free economy and we have the same goal. Today we are joining forces to reduce not only the emissions made by vehicles during their lifetime, but also those generated by their manufacture. This will be the first carbon-neutral car manufacturing facility, with renewable energy supply, electrification of heat, second life-cycle batteries and the possibility of using other technologies, such as green hydrogen. With partnerships such as the one announced today, Iberdrola and Renault are putting our resources and know-how at the service of a more sustainable society.

 

Monção ganha fábrica de componentes para automóveis num investimento de 3 milhões

A Sergalpo Portugal vai instalar uma unidade de produção de componentes para a indústria automóvel no Polo Industrial da Lagoa, em Monção. O projeto deverá criar 100 postos de trabalho.

in Negócios, 28-04-2021


A Sergalpo Portugal comprou um terreno de 20 mil metros quadrados no Polo Industrial da Lagoa, em Monção, para instalar uma unidade industrial para produzir componentes interiores para automóveis. A escritura de compra e venda do lote de terreno foi esta quarta-feira assinada pela Câmara Municipal de Monção e pelo gerente da empresa, Aurélio Dieguez Garcia, indica a autarquia em comunicado.

O projeto prevê a instalação de uma fábrica com uma área de 10 mil metros quadrados onde serão produzidos “componentes interiores para veículos de alta gama” de marcas que incluem a Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar, Ford e Volkswagen.

O investimento deverá ser “próximo de 3 milhões de euros”, estima Aurélio Dieguez Garcia, e visa o aumento da capacidade de produção e armazenamento, por forma a sustentar a expansão das vendas.

A empresa, que atualmente emprega 200 pessoas, estima ainda que serão criados 100 novos postos de trabalho, dos quais “20 qualificados e 5 superiores”.

Segundo o comunicado no site da autarquia, “a escolha de Monção deve-se à sua situação geográfica, junto à fronteira com a Galiza, bem como às condições logísticas e funcionais oferecidas pela estrutura empresarial”.

A fábrica deverá entrar em funcionamento ainda este ano.

O presidente da Câmara de Monção, António Barbosa, considera que este investimento é “uma boa noticia para Monção” revelando “a capacidade de atração do nosso território” e “a vontade dos empresários em se instalarem no concelho”, potenciando, em paralelo, “o crescimento da economia local e o aumento dos postos de trabalho”.

Com o Polo Industrial da Lagoa preenchido, o município de Monção, “lançou a Zona Empresarial Responsável do Alto Minho (ZERAM), situada em Messegães e com uma área superior 60.000 m2. “A obra avança a breve prazo, prevendo-se que esteja concluída em 2022”, conclui o comunicado.

 

Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group fully committed to hydrogen-based fuel-cells – launch of new joint venture cellcentric

Today, two leaders of the commercial vehicle industry – Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group – officially outlined their pioneering roadmap for the new fuel-cell joint venture cellcentric, as part of an industry-first commitment to accelerate the use of hydrogen-based fuel cells for long-haul trucks and beyond. With the ambition of becoming a leading global manufacturer of fuel-cell systems, cellcentric will build one of Europe’s largest planned series production of fuel-cell systems, with operation planned to commence in 2025. To accelerate the rollout of hydrogen-based fuel-cells, the two cellcentric shareholders call for a harmonized EU hydrogen policy framework to support the technology in becoming a viable commercial solution.

in Daimler Truck AG & Volvo Group, 29-04-2021


These ambitions were revealed as part of an exclusive digital launch today, led by Martin Daum, CEO of Daimler Truck AG, and Martin Lundstedt, CEO of Volvo Group. Designed to help meet the 2050 targets of sustainable transport and a carbon-neutral Europe as part of the European Green Deal, cellcentric will develop, produce and commercialize fuel-cell systems for both long-haul trucking and other applications. The joint venture can draw on decades of expertise and development work from both Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group.

According to Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group, purely battery-electric and hydrogen-based fuel-cell trucks will complement each other depending on the individual customer use case. Battery power will be rather used for lower cargo weights and for shorter distances, while fuel-cell power will tend to be the preferred option for heavier loads and longer distances.

Martin Daum, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler Truck AG and Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, says: “Hydrogen-powered fuel-cell electric trucks will be key for enabling CO2-neutral transportation in the future. In combination with pure battery-electric drives, it enables us to offer our customers the best genuinely locally CO2-neutral vehicle options, depending on the application. Battery-electric trucks alone will not make this possible. Together with our partner Volvo Group, we are therefore fully committed to our fuel-cell joint venture cellcentric and we are both pushing forward the development of the technology as well as the series production preparations. Regarding the necessary hydrogen infrastructure, it is clear that green hydrogen is the only sensible way forward in the long term.”

Martin Lundstedt, CEO of Volvo Group, says: “Our united ambition is to meet the targets in the Paris agreement of becoming CO2-neutral by 2050 at the latest. We are convinced that hydrogen fuel-cell technology plays an essential role in helping us reach that milestone. But we know there is so much more to achieve than just the electrification of machines and vehicles. There needs to be greater cooperation between public and private stakeholders to develop the necessary technology and infrastructure, which is why we are calling for united action from policymakers and governments around the world in helping us make hydrogen fuel-cell technology a success. Partnerships like cellcentric are vital to our commitment to decarbonizing road transport.” 

The major truck manufacturers in Europe, also backed by Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group, are therefore calling for the setup of around 300 high-performance hydrogen refuelling stations suitable for heavy-duty vehicles by 2025 and of around 1,000 hydrogen refuelling stations no later than 2030 in Europe. This joint initiative, using hydrogen as a carrier of green electricity to power electric trucks in long-haul operations, is one important part of decarbonizing road transport.

As CO2-neutral trucks are currently significantly more expensive than conventional vehicles, a policy framework is needed to ensure demand and affordability. According to Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group, this should include incentives for CO2-neutral technologies and a taxation system based on carbon and energy content. An emissions trading system could be an additional option.

Clear roadmap towards series production of fuel-cell systems and fuel-cell trucks 

Currently, cellcentric is conceptualizing the plans for its large-scale series production. More details and a decision on the location will be revealed over the course of 2022. As a significant step towards series production, preparations for pre-series production are taking place at a new site in Esslingen near Stuttgart. In parallel, cellcentric is scaling up on-going prototype output.

Daimler Truck AG’s and Volvo Group’s goal is to start with customer tests of fuel-cell trucks in about three years and to be in series production of fuel-cell trucks during the second half of this decade. All vehicle-related activities are carried out independently from each other, as both companies remain competitors in all vehicle and product ranges, and particularly in fuel-cell integration solutions for all products. 

Joint venture for fuel-cell systems

On 1 March 2021, Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group formed cellcentric. To that end, Volvo Group acquired 50 percent of the partnership interests in the existing Daimler Truck Fuel Cell GmbH & Co. KG for approximately EUR 0.6 billion on a cash and debt-free basis. In November 2020, Daimler Truck AG and Volvo Group signed a binding agreement for the joint venture. A preliminary non-binding agreement had already been signed in April of the same year.

More than 300 highly specialized experts work for cellcentric in inter-disciplinary teams at locations in Nabern, Stuttgart (Germany) and Burnaby (Canada). Around 700 individual patents have been issued so far, underlining the leading role played by the company when it comes to technological development.

 

UNIÃO EUROPEIA | Vendas de veículos comerciais: +21,6% 1.º Trimestre, +95,3% Março

In March 2021, new commercial vehicle registrations in the European Union jumped by 95.3% (primarily due to last year’s low base of comparison) to reach 204,046 units. Nearly all EU countries posted double or triple-digit percentage gains, including the four major markets.

in ACEA, 29-04-2021


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Total new commercial vehicles

In March 2021, new commercial vehicle registrations in the European Union jumped by 95.3% (primarily due to last year’s low base of comparison) to reach 204,046 units. Nearly all EU countries posted double or triple-digit percentage gains, including the four major markets. Italy, among the first to impose restrictions as the pandemic emerged in 2020, recorded the highest increase (+215.3%), followed by France (+166.7%), Spain (+151.7%) and Germany (+34.2%).

During the first quarter of 2021, the EU commercial vehicle market expanded by 21.6%, with 501,703 units registered in total. These results were boosted by last month’s upturn. As a result, all key markets improved their cumulative performances, with France (+32.6%), Spain (+11.1%) and Germany (+4.9%) moving back into positive territory and Italy further consolidating its positive result (+38.0%).

New light commercial vehicles (LCV) up to 3.5t

March sales of new vans in the EU were more than double (+107.5%) the levels seen in 2020, totalling 172,288 units. Last month’s results also outperformed March 2019 volumes, when 165,455 vans were sold. Three of the four largest markets in the region recorded triple-digit increases: Italy (+268.9%), France (+183.3%) and Spain (+168.7%), while Germany also posted solid growth (+36.4%).

From January to March, registrations of light commercial vehicles surged by 23.6% across the European Union. The strong March results managed to offset the van segment’s weak performance during the first two months of the year. Demand increased in each of the key markets during this three-month period: Italy (+41.9%), France (+35.4%), Spain (+11.6%) and Germany (+4.9%).

New heavy commercial vehicles (HCV) of 16t and over

Last month, the number of heavy commercial vehicles registered across the European Union rose by 56.8% to 24,695 units. Poland – now the third EU market in volume terms – posted an impressive performance with a 127.3% increase. The four big Western European markets also provided a strong boost to the region’s growth: Spain (+96.0%), Italy (+75.6%), France (+70.6%) and Germany (+30.2%).

Over the first three months of 2021, EU registrations of new heavy trucks increased by 18.1%, counting 63,390 units in total. The European Union’s four major markets recorded double-digit percentage gains so far this year: Italy (+27.6%), Spain (+21.0%), France (+11.1%) and Germany (+10.1%).

New medium and heavy commercial vehicles (MHCV) over 3.5t

In March, 29,779 new heavy commercial vehicles were registered in the European Union, a year-on-year increase of 51.8%. Three of the four largest EU markets posted gains of more than 70%:  France (+73.1%), Italy (+71.3%) and Spain (+70.5%). With a 31.0% increase, Germany also made a sizeable contribution to the EU’s overall performance last month.

In the first quarter of the year, EU registrations of new trucks rose by 15.3% compared to the year before. Looking at the major markets again, Italy saw the biggest increase (+25.4%), followed by France (+13.8%), Spain (+13.7%) and Germany (+7.1%).

New medium and heavy buses & coaches (MHBC) over 3.5t

March 2021 registrations of new buses and coaches in the European Union were 7.7% higher than in the same month last year. The four key EU markets posted mixed results last month. Registrations increased in France (+58.8%) and Italy (+6.1%), but at the same time the German (-13.0%) and Spanish (-1.0%) markets contracted.

Three months into 2021, European demand for buses and coaches fell by 12.6%, with 6,560 new vehicles registered in total across the EU. Spain (-38.9%), Germany (-20.8%) and Italy (-13.8%) posted significant losses so far in 2021, while France was the only major market recording growth (+3.8%).

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Impostos sobre os veículos a motor atingem os 398 mil milhões de euros nos principais mercados da União Europeia

Motor vehicles are responsible for €398.4 billion of tax revenue for governments across key European markets, according to the latest data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).

in ACEA, 29-04-2021


This figure – 3% higher than the previous year – represents close to two and a half times the total budget of the European Union. The national income ranges from €99.9 billion for Germany, which has the EU’s biggest vehicle fleet, to €6.2 billion for Ireland.

When looking at average total tax revenues per motor vehicle, Belgium collects €3,187 per vehicle annually, with Austria (€2,678) and Finland (€2,523) completing the top three of EU countries with the highest per vehicle income. The lowest tax revenues are found in Greece and Spain, where the state collects €1,264 and €1,068 per vehicle respectively.

This data was published today in ACEA’s Tax Guide, which provides an overview of all taxes that are levied on vehicles in the EU and other world markets, including taxes on vehicle acquisition (VAT, sales tax, registration tax), ownership (annual circulation tax, road tax) and motoring (fuel tax).

“Vehicle, road and fuel taxes generate huge amounts of government revenue every year in the EU,” stated ACEA Director General, Eric-Mark Huitema. “This income should help fund the charging and refuelling infrastructure that is now urgently needed to cater for the rapidly growing market uptake of alternatively-powered vehicles.”

Huitema: “Indeed, over the first quarter of this year, almost 14% of all new cars sold in the EU were electrically chargeable. However, this trend can only be maintained if governments step up investments in infrastructure.”

When it comes to fuel taxes, petrol is still taxed more heavily than diesel in almost all European countries, with the exception of Belgium and Slovenia. Tax on diesel ranges from €317/1,000 litres (in Hungary) to €617/1,000 litres (in Italy). For petrol, taxation goes from €345/1,000 litres (Hungary) to €813/1,000 litres (the Netherlands).

VAT rates on new vehicles range from 17% in Luxembourg to 27% in Hungary, the report shows.

Average annual tax revenue per motor vehicle, by country*

  1. Belgium: €3,187
  2. Austria: €2,678
  3. Finland: €2,523
  4. Ireland: €2,438
  5. Denmark: €2,251
  6. Netherlands: €2,158
  7. Germany: €1,963
  8. France: €1,911
  9. Italy: €1,727
  10. Sweden: €1,561
  11. Portugal: €1,528
  12. Greece: €1,264
  13. Spain: €1,068

***

Notes for editors

  • The full 2021 edition of the ACEA Tax Guide is available here
  • * Per country estimates based on the number of vehicles on the road in the corresponding year. For other EU countries data on motor tax revenues are not available.
  • This Guide covers the 27 member states of the European Union, the United Kingdom and the three EFTA countries (Iceland, Norway and Switzerland). In addition, it also provides in-depth information for Brazil, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Turkey and the United States.

 

Escassez de contentores faz tremer comércio global

Declarações da AFIA à Supply Chain Magazine sobre o impacto que a crise dos contentores está a ter na cadeia de abastecimento das empresas.

in Supply Chain Magazine, Março 2021


A Associação de Fabricantes para a Indústria Automóvel (AFIA) é a associação portuguesa que congrega e representa, nacional e internacionalmente, os fornecedores de componentes para a indústria automóvel. A indústria de componentes para automóveis em Portugal emprega diretamente 60.000 pessoas. Factura 10,8 mil milhões de euros (ano 2020) e tem uma quota de exportação superior a 80%. Representa 5,6% do PIB, 8,6% do emprego da indústria transformadora e 16,1% das exportações nacionais de bens transaccionáveis. Adão Ferreira, secretário–geral da AFIA, reconhece que os custos logísticos são um factor de competitividade crítico para a concorrência internacional e, em Portugal, são “maioritariamente mais elevados” do que noutros países concorrentes, “acentuando o efeito de Portugal como país limítrofe e por isso afectando a competitividade e atractividade das nossas empresas e produtos, pelo que a escassez de contentores está a encarecer os custos do transporte”.