Automark

Most of the Automobile concerns might know that the Registered Journey of Automobile started from UK back in 1860. Most of the intellectuals worked on the development of a successful Vehicle which could serve the need of the time. As the Journey Started from UK it went on in West (US), Europe (France & Germany), Asia Pacific & so on. Only successful Brands were heard whereas many merged into renowned brands or role down their private projects.

Automobiles successful Market has been revolving from UK, US, Germany, France, Japan, Korea & Now CHINA / Asia Pacific. Companies more or less have been learning from Top seller’s success stories. Almost every follower enhanced features & technology in-accordance to market demand by the passage of time. Companiesfocusing on R&D made it in the top Club of Big producers / sellers.

Today’s Automobile Companies are focusing on innovation based on mainly Safety, Comfort, Luxury& Economy.  There was a time when vehicles were sold through huge advertisements whereas now a days vehicles are sold based upon its Reputation / customer experience of Dealership & Product it-self.

This is the list of the 15 largest publicly-traded car manufacturers by market capitalization as of 23 January 2021, according to CompaniesMarket.

Share Holdings:

It is common for automobile manufacturers to hold stakes in other automobile manufacturers. These ownerships can be explored under the detail for the individual companies.

Notable current relationships include:^{[citation needed]}

• Daihatsu holds a 25% stake in Perodua.^[45]
• Daimler holds a 10.0% stake in KAMAZ.
• Daimler holds an 89.29% stake in Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation.
• Daimler holds a 3.1% in the Renault-Nissan Alliance, while Renault-Nissan Alliance holds a 3.1% share in Daimler AG.
• Daimler holds a 12% stake in BAIC Group, while BAIC Group holds 5% stake in Daimler.^[46]
• Daimler holds an 85% stake in Master Motors.
• Dongfeng Motor holds a 12.23% stake and a 19.94% exercisable voting rights in PSA Groupe.
• FAW Group owns 49% of Haima Automobile.
• FCA holds a 10% stake in Ferrari.
• FCA holds a 67% stake in Fiat Automobili Srbija.
• FCA holds 37.8% of Tofaş with another 37.8% owned by Koç Holding.
• Fiat Automobili Srbija owns a 54% stake in Zastava Trucks.
• Fiat Industrial owns a 46% stake in Zastava Trucks.
• Fujian Motors Group holds a 15% stake in King Long. FMG, Beijing Automotive Group, China Motor, and Daimler has a joint venture called Fujian Benz. FMG, China Motor, and Mitsubishi Motors has a joint venture called Soueast, FMG holds a 50% stake, and both China Motor and Mitsubishi Motors holds an equal 25% stake.
• Geely Automobile holds a 23% stake in The London Taxi Company.
• Geely Automobile holds a 49.9% stake in PROTON Holdings and a 51% stake in Lotus Cars.^[47]
• Geely Holding Group holds a 9.69% stake in Daimler AG.^[48]
• Geely Holding Group holds an 8.3% stake and a 15.9% exercisable voting rights in Volvo.
• General Motors holds a 93% stake in GM India and SAIC Group holds a 7% stake.
• General Motors holds a 94% stake in GM Korea and SAIC Group holds a 6% stake.
• General Motors holds a 20% stake in Industries Mécaniques Maghrébines.
• Isuzu owns 10% of Industries Mécaniques Maghrébines.
• Mahindra & Mahindra holds a 70% stake in SsangYong Motor .
• MAN SE holds a 17.01% voting stake in Scania.
• Marcopolo owns 19% of New Flyer Industries.
• Mitsubishi Group holds 20% of Mitsubishi Motors.
• Nissan owns 34% of Mitsubishi Motors since October 2016,^[49] thus having the right to nominate the chairman of Mitsubishi Motors’ board and a third of its directors.^[50]
• Nissan owns 43% of Nissan Shatai.
• Porsche Automobil Holding SE has a 50.74% voting stake in Volkswagen Group. The Porsche automotive business is fully owned by the Volkswagen Group.
• Renault and Nissan Motors have an alliance (Renault-Nissan Alliance) involving two global companies linked by cross-shareholding, with Renault holding 43.4% of Nissan shares, and Nissan holding 15% of (non-voting) Renault shares.
• Renault holds a 25% stake in AvtoVAZ
• Renault holds an 80.1% stake in Renault Samsung.
• SAIPA holds a 51% stake in Pars Khodro.
• Tata Motors holds a 100% stake in Jaguar Land Rover.
• Toyota holds a 100% stake in Daihatsu.
• Toyota holds a 50.1% stake in Hino.
• Toyota holds a 5.9% stake in Isuzu.
• Toyota holds a 5.05% stake in Mazda, while Mazda holds 0.25% stake in Toyota.^[51]
• Toyota holds a 16.7% stake in Subaru Corporation, parent company of Subaru.
• Toyota holds a 4.94% stake in Suzuki, while Suzuki holds 0.2% stake in Toyota.^[52]
• Volkswagen Group holds a 99.55% stake in the Audi Group.
• Volkswagen Group holds a 37.73% stake in Scania (68.6% voting rights), a 53.7% stake in MAN SE (55.9% voting rights), Volkswagen is integrating Scania, MAN and its own truck division into one division.
• Paccar has a 19% stake in Tatra.
• ZAP holds a 51% stake in Zhejiang Jonway.

Joint ventures

China joint venture

Beijing Automotive Group has a joint venture with Daimler called Beijing Benz, both companies hold a 50-50% stake. Both companies also have a joint venture called Beijing Foton Daimler Automobile.

• Beijing Automotive Group also has a joint venture with Hyundai called Beijing Hyundai, both companies hold a 50-50% stake.
• BMW and Brilliance have a joint venture called BMW Brilliance . BMW owns a 50% stake, Brilliance owns a 40.5% stake, and the Shenyang municipal government owns a 9.5% stake.
• Changan Automobile has a joint venture with Groupe PSA (Changan PSA ), both hold a 50-50% stake.
• Changan Automobile has a joint venture with Suzuki (Changan Suzuki ), both hold a 50-50% stake.
• Changan Automobile has a 50-50% joint venture with Mazda (Changan Mazda ).
• Changan Automobile and Ford have a 50-50% joint venture called Changan Ford.
• Changan Automobile and JMCG have a joint venture called Jiangling Motor Holding.
• Chery has a joint venture with Jaguar Land Rover called Chery Jaguar Land Rover, both companies hold a 50-50% stake.^[53]
• Chery and Israel Corporation has a joint venture called Qoros, both companies hold a 50-50% stake.
• Dongfeng Motor and Nissan have a 50-50% joint venture called Dongfeng Motor Company.
• Dongfeng Motor and PSA Group have a 50-50% joint venture called Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroen .
• Dongfeng Motor has a 50-50% joint venture with Honda called Dongfeng Honda .
• Dongfeng Motor has a joint venture with AB Volvo called Dongfeng Nissan-Diesel .
• Dongfeng Motor has a 50-50% joint venture with Renault named Dongfeng Renault in Wuhan, which was founded in the end of 2013
• FAW Group and General Motors has a 50-50 joint venture called FAW-GM.
• FAW Group has a 50-50 joint venture with Volkswagen Group called FAW-Volkswagen .
• FAW Group has a 50-50 joint venture with Toyota called Sichuan FAW Toyota Motor and both companies also have another joint venture called Ranz .
• General Motors and SAIC Motor, both have two joint ventures in SAIC-GM and SAIC-GM-Wuling.

By Chinese Companies out of China.

Daimler AG and BYD Auto have a joint venture called Denza, both companies hold a 50-50% stake.

• Daimler AG and Geely Holding Group have a joint venture called smart Automobile, both companies hold a 50-50% stake.^[54]
• Ford and Navistar International have a 50-50 joint venture called Blue Diamond Truck .
• Ford and Sollers JSC have a 50-50 joint venture called Ford Sollers .
• Ford and Koç Holding have a 50-50 joint venture called Ford Otosan .
• Ford and Lio Ho Group have a joint venture called Ford Lio Ho, Ford owns 70% and Lio Ho Group owns 30%.
• General Motors and UzAvtosanoat have a joint venture called GM Uzbekistan, UzAvtosanoat owns 75% and General Motors owns 25%.
• General Motors, AvtoVAZ, and EBRD have a joint venture called GM-AvtoVAZ, Both GM and AvtoVAZ owns 41.61% and EBRD owns 16.76%.
• Hyundai Motor Company and Kibar Holding has a joint venture called Hyundai Assan Otomotiv, Hyundai owns 70% and Kibar Holding owns 30%.
• Isuzu and Anadolu Group have a 50-50% joint venture called Anadolu Isuzu .
• Isuzu and General Motors has a 50-50% joint venture called Isuzu Truck South Africa .
• Isuzu, Sollers JSC, and Imperial Sojitz have a joint venture called Sollers-Isuzu, Sollers JSC owns 66%, Isuzu owns 29%, and Imperial Sojitz owns 5%.
• Mahindra & Mahindra and Navistar International have a joint venture called Mahindra Trucks and Buses Limited . Mahindra & Mahindra owns 51% and Navistar International owns 49%.
• Mahindra & Mahindra has a joint venture with Ford Motor Company in India, where Mahindra & Mahindra owns 51% and Ford owns 49%.
• MAN SE and UzAvtosanoat have a joint venture called MAN Auto-Uzbekistan, UzAvtosanoat owns 51% and MAN SE owns 49%.
• Navistar International and JAC has a joint venture called Anhui Jiaghuai Navistar .
• PSA and Toyota have a 50-50% joint venture called Toyota Peugeot Citroen Automobile Czech .
• PSA and CK Birla Group (AVTEC) have a 50-50% joint venture called PSA AVTEC Powertrain Pvt. Ltd.
• Sollers JSC is involved in joint ventures with Ford (Ford Sollers ) and Mazda to produce cars.
• Tata Motors also formed a joint venture in India with Fiat and gained access to Fiat’s diesel engine technology.
• Tata Motors and Marcopolo have a joint venture called Tata Marcopolo, where Tata owns 51% and Marcopolo owns 49%.
• Volvo Group and Eicher Motors has a 50-50% joint venture called VE Commercial Vehicles.

The above information has been gathered from different Media sources, Hence any variation in stated information is regretted in Advance.

Bentley has announced that it has passed the symbolic milestone of 200,000 cars having left the factory since the brand was founded in 1919. And the 200,000th is a hybrid Bentayga, symbolizing the electric transition of the British manufacturer.

Incredibly, more than three quarters of these 200,000 cars have been produced in the last 18 years. And in fact 85 cars currently roll off the Bentley production line every day.

That’s the number of cars the brand was producing every month just 20 years ago. Each car is still carefully assembled by hand, as has been the tradition for over 100 years.

Bentley announced earlier that it will only produce electric cars from 2030.
For the purposes of communicating on this milestone, Bentley decided to have this Bentayga posed next to the EXP2, the oldest Bentley in history.

Following the introduction of the Proton X70 last December, Al-Haj Automotive, the authorised distributor and assembler of Proton vehicles in Pakistan, has now launched the more affordable Saga sedan in the country.

The Saga on sale there is being offered in five variants, including the Saga MT and AT, the range-topping Saga Ace AT, as well as the limited-edition Saga R3. What’s interesting is the Saga R3 in Pakistan is available with either an automatic or manual transmission – the latter is something we don’t get.

In terms of equipment, both the Saga MT and AT are similar to the Standard MT and AT variants we have here, including halogen headlamps, 14-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, rear parking sensors, powered side mirrors with indicators and remote trunk release.

Stepping up to the Ace AT, it matches the Premium variant in Malaysia, adding on LED daytime running lights, a small boot spoiler, 15-inch alloy wheels, a multi-function steering wheel, a seven-inch touchscreen media system with smartphone mirroring, a reverse camera and a N95 cabin filter.

As reported previously, the Saga sold in Pakistan is powered by a S4PE engine with a displacement of 1,299 cc, which is 33 cc less than the Malaysian model that has a capacity of 1,332 cc. The lower engine displacement of below 1.3 litres allows the Saga to be priced more competitively in Pakistan, thanks to the tax breaks it qualifies for with this classification.

According to Proton Pakistan, the engine makes 92 PS (91 hp) and 120 Nm of torque, and comes with an Eco Drive Assist mode. The transmission pairings include a four-speed torque converter automatic and a five-speed manual.

Safety-wise, the base MT and AT variants receive two front airbags, ABS and EBD as standard, while traction control and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is only found on the Ace AT. There are six colours to choose from – Armour Silver, Ruby Red, Rosewood Maroon, Jet Grey, Snow White dan Quartz Black.

The Saga R3 is a little different than the MT, AT and Ace AT, as it uses the 1,332-cc engine that we have here. Equipped with the same kit as the Premium, the variant features cues inspired by the Sepang 1000KM race car, including a body kit consisting of a front spoiler lip, side skirts and accents in the official R3 colour, yellow.

The hue is seen on the front grille, front and rear windscreen stickers, as well as the side mirror caps. Other exterior touches include 15-inch alloys in matte grey, an R3 emblem on the boot lid and the race car’s number “82” that is part of the body decals.

Inside, more yellow accents can be seen on the centre console and the analogue meter cluster, complemented by an “R3 Limited Edition” emblem on the dashboard, R3-branded carpets, R3-embroidered leather seats and the stitching on the steering wheel.

Prices start at 1.975 million Pakistani rupees (RM53,665) for the Saga in MT guise, while the AT goes for PKR2.125 million (RM57,741). The Ace AT is priced at PKR2.225 million (RM60,458) and the Saga R3 goes for PKR2.175 million (RM59,100) with a manual, or PKR2.425 million (RM65,893) with an automatic. A five-year/150,000-km warranty is standard, and Proton is one of the first car brands in Pakistan to offer such a coverage package.

Only 100 units of the Saga R3 will be offered in Pakistan, which is far less than the 2,000 units we get here. According to Proton Pakistan marketing manager Ibad Jamal, to ensure a fair chance for customers to secure a unit, they must first register their interest online, after which a lucky draw will be done to decide who is fortuitous to buy one.

Source: https://paultan.org/2021/04/05/proton-saga-launched-in-pakistan/

In continuation to my last Article “Marketing Dynamics in Automobile Industry”, I’ll briefly explain how trends are impacting the truck auto industry and how it can be useful for all of us to implement these strategies in marketing. The most important thing in marketing is “Connection”, Connection of brand, product, price, promotion to the Consumers, audience, buyers’ and customers’. The essence of marketing is to attract customers to a business. Good customers are okay, great customers are best. Every business wants customers just like their best ones.

There was a time when word of mouth was enough to keep a business alive and all it took was a handshake to close a deal, but those days are long gone. Consumers are more connected than ever before and information is right at their fingertips. They can comparison shop interest rates and car prices from their phone while they are sitting in your dealership. This translates into a more competitive market where you either stand out or get left behind. Even the most loyal customers are going to abandon ship if they find out there is a better deal across that street. That is why today’s automotive dealers must invest in the right kinds of digital marketing and advertising tools as part of a larger strategy that works to build brand recognition.

Marketing is the process of getting the right goods or services or ideas to the right people at the right place, time, and price, using the right promotion techniques and utilizing the appropriate people to provide the customer service associated with those goods, services, or ideas. This concept is referred to as the “right” principle and is the basis of all marketing strategy. In todays’ topic I’ll focus on the most fascinating and attractive category of “CargoTruck” traditional marketing style that is missing in all platform of social media, print media and digital platforms.

Pakistan is country rich of culture. Everything has its own style carrying from ancient times. Art is not what you see, but what you make others see. In Pakistan you all might haveseen bright, colorful resplendent trucks thundering down streets and highways. In Pakistan, ‘truck art’ is something beyond social expression; it’s also a deeply rooted tradition that can cause a business boom for drivers. Many articles been written on the history behind these moving bits of art.

Let me assure you that “truck art” is one of the most culturally celebrated forms of art in Pakistan. Pakistan have four provinces and every province has its own culture, values, attraction and language. So the versatility of Truck art varies in all region across Pakistan. In Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa they usually used wood work, Rawalpindi and Islamabad plastic work, and the Sindhi truck art mostly features red shading in truck enrichment. Cargo trucks paintings – often coupled with lines of poetry (MaaBoli’s), religious calligraphy or common phrases (i-e, just like “GiAya’anNuo”, “MaakiDuaa” etc.) – represent the truck driver’s identity and regional background. The images on the trucks embody a wide range of themes including celebrities, beautiful women, mythical creatures, religious imagery, and national heroes, comic verses may also be found written on the trucks. Sometimes, chains and pendants are also seen to be hanging with the bumpers of the truck.

Looking back to the history in 1920s, when Bedford trucks imported from England entered the country’s streets with customized designs of large wooden prows on top of the truck bed. Known as a Taj, or Crown. In the 1950s, Karachi became a hub of truck art.

According to different articles on “Jingle Trucks”, it was written that driver can easily spend up two years’ salary to just décor their truck. That’s not the end, they do touchups every few years to keep things fresh. Well, the most important thing that we as “Marketing Analysist” should understand that it’s not about the money but the Love, Connection and Ownership that they are always ready to pay for it no matter what. For Truck drivers’, truck is their home and they spend their major time in the truck often sleep on it or under it.

Truck art is not just an art anymore. It has become an enthusiastic love for culturalism and symbolism, which has transcended the territorial limits of Pakistan, to be praised and acknowledged internationally. Haider Ali who had beautifully exhibited the art on vehicles in UK, Poland, US, Germany, and the United States. He also ornamented a Turkish municipal bus as a part of solidifying Pak-Turk bilateral ties and to promote cultural friendliness between the two countries. Hey, don’t you all forget about 2015 campaign, the famous fashion company Dolce & Gabbana used such displays which could clearly be seen as influenced by Pakistani truck art.

Well, you might be thinking why am I explaining all these about “Jingle Trucks”. Point is simple; did you ever see any “Culturally Rich” Marketing campaign of Cargo trucks in recent times in Pakistan. People are perceiving truck industry as Passenger vehicle but frankly speaking that is truly “un-fairness” with both the vehicle categories. Passenger vehicles are owned by the buyer itself who wanted luxury, Style, Brand name and experience of International Level While Truck Industry where trucks are mainly purchased by the “Fleet owners”, Financers or by the “Logistics Companies”, but they don’t run these trucks directly, Drivers are the one who actually runs these vehicles but what we missing in Truck Marketing is their (Drivers’/end users’) connection to the company (Vehicle offered).

Truck is not just only used for logistics purposes but these days’ trucks customized solution been offered by companies to their buyers’/end users such as “Food Truck”, “Cold Storage Truck”, “Accessories Truck”, “Ice Cream Truck”. People don’t need to rent a shop to run their business, they just need to buy a small, medium or heavy truck as per their need/demand and use that as shop. How Cool, isn’t it?

This is the time when Marketing team need to think to “Revamp Company Marketing Strategy especially in Commercial Vehicle Segment”specially to build customer ownership and loyalty to effective marketing product that will result in lead generation and to register the sale later on. This is not the industry where a big showroom can attract the customers, this is the industry where you need to go down to the people like “road shows”, free service campaign, “Truck Adda – Get together”.Marketing strategy need to have that wow element that hit directly to the customer heart.

Well I’m keeping my article as an open ended to let “Marketing Guru’s” think about it and share their ideas to me at [email protected] . If you enjoyed this article and you’d like more information about getting your truck Marketing up and running, wait for my next Article about “Promo Trucks” and “Vehicle Wrap”. Till then Remember me in your prayers.

By Rizwana Ashraf
(Automotive Enthusiast, Strategic Analyst & Chinese Language Professional)

A full five-year with an unlimited mileage factory warranty is provided as well as an assurance of nationwide after-sales support with readily available genuine parts

UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) has launched the all-new Toyota Corolla Cross for the Malaysian market.

The five-seater SUV is available in two variants — Corolla Cross 1.8V and Corolla Cross 1.8G — and are priced from RM134,000 (without sale tax exemption) and RM124,000 (with sale tax exemption until June 30, 2021) in Peninsular Malaysia without insurance.

The new model will be imported as a completely built-up unit from Thailand before local production starts later this year.

“In wasting no time, we are accelerating into 2021 with new drive and synergised mobility. The new Toyota Corolla Cross enters the ever-growing modern SUV segment, catering to a new generation of mobile adventurous consumers.

“We are confident that it will prove to be yet another winner as it is ideal for today’s active lifestyles,” UMWT President Ravindran K said in a statement yesterday.

The Corolla Cross is built around the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), a structure and platform that allows more engineering flexibility.

With TNGA, a lower centre of gravity can be achieved to improve stability while the highly rigid body enhances agility and ride comfort.

Compared to the Corolla sedan, the Corolla Cross has a marginally shorter body with an overall length of 4,460mm.

However, it has 45mm more overall width at 1,825mm and 185 mm taller at 1,620mm, which allows ground clearance to be raised to 161mm.

The Corolla Cross is powered by a 1.8-litre petrol DOHC engine with Dual VVT-i that produces 139ps of power at 6,400rpm with 172Nm of torque at 4,000rpm.

The engine is matched with a seven-speed sequential shiftmatic CVT transmission that improves performance with an electronically-controlled throttle to provide responsiveness, smoothness and quietness.

UMWT Deputy Chairman Akio Takeyama said initial market studies have shown that there is a strong and positive response to this new type of Corolla.

“This response is not surprising as there is great demand for SUVs globally. As such, we will have this model assembled locally around the end of this year,” he said.

The Corolla Cross has a dominant speedometer in the middle within a 4.2-inch colour multi-information display.

Besides that, it has a nine-inch display in the middle of the dashboard with Apple Carplay and Android Auto-ready connectivity.

The new Corolla Cross comes with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 that consists of various safety features including the pre-collision system, lane departure alert with steering assist, dynamic radar cruise control, lane tracing assist and automatic high beam, among others.

Customers can choose from an exterior colour line-up of five finishes namely red mica metallic, platinum white pearl, metalstream metallic, graphite metallic and nebula blue metallic.

A full five-year with an unlimited mileage factory warranty is provided as well as an assurance of nationwide after-sales support with readily available genuine parts.

Courtesy: Toyota launches new Corolla Cross SUV – The Malaysian Reserve