Latest news with #smallcars
Reuters
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- Reuters
Fearing China's small car rivals, Stellantis, Renault lobby EU for fewer rules
PARIS, June 20 (Reuters) - With Chinese automakers pushing into Europe, Stellantis and Renault are lobbying for a new, less-regulated category of small cars with fewer safety features, making them cheaper to build. Over the last two months, Stellantis ( opens new tab Chairman John Elkann and Renault ( opens new tab CEO Luca de Meo have engaged in a rare public campaign to get the European Union to consider the matter. The aim is to revive a small car segment largely abandoned by Europe's automakers as such models were unprofitable, a problem they blame on regulations that make the vehicles larger, heavier and more expensive. Elkann last week said Europe needs its own version of Japan's "kei cars", small, urban vehicles with size and engine restrictions that enjoy lower tax and insurance costs - which he said could be called the "e-car". "There's no reason why if Japan has a kei car, which is 40% of the market, Europe should not have an e-car," he said at an event in Turin, echoing similar comments in a joint editorial with Renault's de Meo published last month. Though de Meo is set to leave Renault in July, the company is expected to maintain its support for the proposal. "Small cars are a pocket of growth one cannot, and must not, ignore right now," said Francois Provost, Renault's director of procurement, partnerships, and public affairs. Chinese rivals have so far focused on larger EVs and hybrids in their bid for market share in Europe, but smaller EVs are on the way. The Dolphin Surf from China's BYD ( opens new tab hit the market one month ago, priced from under 20,000 euros ($23,124) with features such as a rotating large touch screen and anti-steam rear mirrors. By comparison, the Renault 5, which is similar though can carry one more passenger, costs almost 5,000 euros more when similarly equipped. Facing that pressure, European manufacturers are examining the potential for cheaper cars to help them boost sales and achieve their CO2 targets, said Flavien Neuvy, auto analyst and head of research firm Cetelem. "The market is down 20% compared with 2019, so there is not enough volume for everyone, and the Chinese are coming," he said. Though small cars currently account for just 5% of the market, they made up as much as half the market in the 1980s, and the segment could rebound with more launches, said S&P Global, which estimates sales could reach 600,000 by 2030, up about 20% from last year. The lobbying effort targets the EU's General Safety Regulations 2 (GSR2), which mandates safety features such as side airbags, sensors detecting whether a driver is falling asleep, lane-crossing warning, and more thorough crash tests. Such requirements and European rules on pollution add between 850 and 1,400 euros ($983-$1,607) to the cost of a car, estimates a source familiar with the lobbying. Lobbyists argue there is no need for safety requirements like those for high-speed collisions when it comes to small cars designed for city drivers. Backed by industry group the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), they want an entirely new vehicle category called M0, or e-car. The European Commission is looking into the matter, said spokesperson Lea Zuber. Revamping requirements for smaller cars without compromising on safety will be complex and will not necessarily be implemented, said people familiar with the discussions. And whether less-regulated models could compete against Chinese EVs also remains to be seen. Matthew Avery, director of strategic development at Euro NCAP, which tests new cars for safety, said the idea that small city cars would not be involved in highway accidents is nonsense. The Chinese are bringing cars to Europe that consistently get five-star ratings from Euro NCAP, said Avery. Although its ratings do not carry legal weight, consumers take them into account and many corporate fleets will not buy cars with less than five stars. A change in regulations to cut some safety requirements could leave smaller European cars with two- or three-star ratings, Avery said. "If they want to, they can de-spec a car for safety," Avery said, but noted Euro NCAP's tests and safety ratings will remain unchanged. "Our job is just to say, well, this car is safer than that car." Emmanuel Bret, deputy head of BYD France, says the company will continue offering small cars that meet all current EU regulations and that blaming the bloc for making them unaffordable is just "a lot of excuses". "Let customers choose," Bret said. ($1 = 0.8714 euros)
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Analysis-Fearing China's small car rivals, Stellantis, Renault lobby EU for fewer rules
By Gilles Guillaume PARIS (Reuters) -With Chinese automakers pushing into Europe, Stellantis and Renault are lobbying for a new, less-regulated category of small cars with fewer safety features, making them cheaper to build. Over the last two months, Stellantis Chairman John Elkann and Renault CEO Luca de Meo have engaged in a rare public campaign to get the European Union to consider the matter. The aim is to revive a small car segment largely abandoned by Europe's automakers as such models were unprofitable, a problem they blame on regulations that make the vehicles larger, heavier and more expensive. Elkann last week said Europe needs its own version of Japan's "kei cars", small, urban vehicles with size and engine restrictions that enjoy lower tax and insurance costs - which he said could be called the "e-car". "There's no reason why if Japan has a kei car, which is 40% of the market, Europe should not have an e-car," he said at an event in Turin, echoing similar comments in a joint editorial with Renault's de Meo published last month. Though de Meo is set to leave Renault in July, the company is expected to maintain its support for the proposal. "Small cars are a pocket of growth one cannot, and must not, ignore right now," said Francois Provost, Renault's director of procurement, partnerships, and public affairs. Chinese rivals have so far focused on larger EVs and hybrids in their bid for market share in Europe, but smaller EVs are on the way. The Dolphin Surf from China's BYD hit the market one month ago, priced from under 20,000 euros ($23,124) with features such as a rotating large touch screen and anti-steam rear mirrors. By comparison, the Renault 5, which is similar though can carry one more passenger, costs almost 5,000 euros more when similarly equipped. Facing that pressure, European manufacturers are examining the potential for cheaper cars to help them boost sales and achieve their CO2 targets, said Flavien Neuvy, auto analyst and head of research firm Cetelem. "The market is down 20% compared with 2019, so there is not enough volume for everyone, and the Chinese are coming," he said. Though small cars currently account for just 5% of the market, they made up as much as half the market in the 1980s, and the segment could rebound with more launches, said S&P Global, which estimates sales could reach 600,000 by 2030, up about 20% from last year. 'A LOT OF EXCUSES' The lobbying effort targets the EU's General Safety Regulations 2 (GSR2), which mandates safety features such as side airbags, sensors detecting whether a driver is falling asleep, lane-crossing warning, and more thorough crash tests. Such requirements and European rules on pollution add between 850 and 1,400 euros ($983-$1,607) to the cost of a car, estimates a source familiar with the lobbying. Lobbyists argue there is no need for safety requirements like those for high-speed collisions when it comes to small cars designed for city drivers. Backed by industry group the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), they want an entirely new vehicle category called M0, or e-car. The European Commission is looking into the matter, said spokesperson Lea Zuber. Revamping requirements for smaller cars without compromising on safety will be complex and will not necessarily be implemented, said people familiar with the discussions. And whether less-regulated models could compete against Chinese EVs also remains to be seen. Matthew Avery, director of strategic development at Euro NCAP, which tests new cars for safety, said the idea that small city cars would not be involved in highway accidents is nonsense. The Chinese are bringing cars to Europe that consistently get five-star ratings from Euro NCAP, said Avery. Although its ratings do not carry legal weight, consumers take them into account and many corporate fleets will not buy cars with less than five stars. A change in regulations to cut some safety requirements could leave smaller European cars with two- or three-star ratings, Avery said. "If they want to, they can de-spec a car for safety," Avery said, but noted Euro NCAP's tests and safety ratings will remain unchanged. "Our job is just to say, well, this car is safer than that car." Emmanuel Bret, deputy head of BYD France, says the company will continue offering small cars that meet all current EU regulations and that blaming the bloc for making them unaffordable is just "a lot of excuses". "Let customers choose," Bret said. ($1 = 0.8714 euros) Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Sun
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
BYD Dolphin Surf is a small, simple £18k motor packed with things that please… it knocks its rivals out the park
I'M a big fan of small and simple cars because I like value for money more than I do screens and gadgets. This BYD Dolphin Surf is small and simple. 4 4 Just press and go. It's value for money at £18,650. And yet it's got a rotating touchscreen and all those gadgets thrown in anyway. Where's the catch? I can't see one. It knocks a Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 out of the park because it's a proper car for not much more and it's comfortably less than the already brilliant-value Renault 5. Finance from £269 a month with £269 deposit. Or £199 a month with about £3k deposit. It'll cost pennies to run. I reckon many will be bought as second cars but end up being the one owners use the most. Dolphin Surf has four seats, three with ISOFIX anchor points for the kiddlywinks, and a surprisingly practical boot that'll swallow the Friday big shop. Properly comfy seats by the way. Made of 'vegan leather' whatever that means. Big drink holders. Phone storage tray. Apple CarPlay. Reversing camera. Adaptive cruise control for your out-of-town runs. All things that please and all included in the price. You can even use your little BYD bud as a mobile power bank – running everything from party lights to a fridge. Now I should spell out that Dolphin Surf comes in two battery sizes. The entry-level Active gets you a 137-mile battery by the WLTP test and a big enough e-motor to keep you swimming in quick traffic. Then there's the £22k Boost nudging 200 miles from the 43kWh battery. 'BRIM THE BATTERY' Both use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry for higher levels of durability and safety. So you can 'brim' the battery every time without depleting it. Both roll on Hankook tyres. Another positive. Even the lime green paint job is free. How safe is it? It's engineered to attain a four-star safety rating. The body uses 68 per cent high-strength steel and the car is brimming with anti-crash gear. The car will be made in Hungary soon – and avoid tariffs. I told you BYD would quickly chime with UK drivers and the Chinese are already outselling Honda, Citroen, Fiat and more. There are a load of plug-in hybrids coming next, including a junior SUV and a pick-up truck called Shark. 4 4
South China Morning Post
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
How BYD and Chinese peers are transforming Europe's small EV market
Some of the world's biggest carmakers are squaring off for a titanic battle over small cars in Europe, as native stalwarts like Volkswagen and Renault fight to maintain their hold on the market against an influx of cheap electric vehicles (EVs) from BYD and its Chinese peers. Last month, BYD , which surpassed Tesla last year as the world's largest EV maker, launched its Dolphin Surf compact hatchback in Europe. The company's most affordable model, known in China as the Seagull, is priced from €22,990 (US$26,128) with a 322km range to €24,990 with a 507km range. A promotion this month lowers the starting price to €19,990. The compact segment was 'the next frontier for electrification in Europe' and had huge potential, said Maria Grazia DaVino, BYD's regional managing director for Europe, at a launch event in Berlin. 'It's a declaration of intentions from BYD that it is exploring the small car segment [in Europe],' said Felipe Munoz, senior analyst at Jato Dynamics. 'It is a very competitive car, and can also shake the small car segment because of its price.' 03:30 Global carmakers cede world's largest auto show to Chinese EVs Global carmakers cede world's largest auto show to Chinese EVs The car's introduction represents a big opportunity for European consumers to 'finally' benefit from a competitive product, he said. 'But it's also an alarm for the European carmakers, which have been struggling to come up with really competitive small cars.'
Globe and Mail
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Globe and Mail
Mini Cooper JCW is a niche within a niche and the personality comes with a price
The Cooper 3-door is one of the few small cars left. With the departure of the gas-powered Fiat 500, there's nothing else quite like it on the market. It's cute and brimming with heritage and character. With the latest redesign, I rediscovered some joy behind the wheel that I felt was lacking in the last generation. But with prices starting close to $40,000 for the base car and climbing to $55,000 for the sportier John Cooper Works version, it might be cheerful but not cheap. The 3-door is the Cooper's purest form, which goes back to the 1959 original. It continues with evolutionary styling tweaks because anything drastic and it wouldn't be a Mini Cooper. The car is instantly recognizable; however, the latest model is leaner having shed features such as the fender grilles while offering a more minimalist aesthetic. The headlights come without the chrome rings, and the taillights are no longer union jacks. It's also slightly more compact, losing a smidgen of length but gaining some back in the wheelbase. The John Cooper Works (JCW) version adds a cool wing on the roof, larger wheels, wider tires and cranks up the turbo boost. There's no power increase over last year's model but the torque figure jumps significantly to 280 lb-ft from 236 and you feel it even more when driving. The factory zero-to-100 kilometre an hour time of 6.1 seconds seems conservative. Automotive journalist Jason Camissa pulled off quicker times during a drag race with the less powerful Cooper S in a recent video posted to Hagerty's YouTube channel. More power, or torque in this instance, is great, but it doesn't always equal more fun to drive. The last Cooper JCW didn't do it for me. For something of its stature, I expected the agility of a mosquito, but it didn't feel like that. The steering was heavy and the pedals were stiff. It felt overweight with too much BMW DNA. That's not the case with the latest model. The new JCW feels nimble with a light, precise steering rack and a snappy seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It's like a mini Volkswagen GTI with a more entertaining personality. And it's quick, raising its little snout in the air under heavy acceleration, gurgling and popping when you downshift. Unlike the Cooper S, which is strangely devoid of paddle shifters, the JCW gets them, enabling manual control of the gearbox. In Go-Kart mode, it won't upshift until you pull the right paddle. The JCW has a nice throaty bark emitted from a single centre-mounted tailpipe. There's pronounced fake engine sound pumped in through the speakers, but that's becoming unavoidable in performance cars. It mostly goes away when you aren't in Sport – sorry Go-Kart – mode. Despite its diminutive size, the Mini JCW is solid and stable at highway speeds and great fun to toss around on a twisty road, with easily approachable limits. Finally, it feels like a hot hatch that's worth recommending. But for around $50,000, there are better ways to spend your money. The Civic Type R, if you can find one in stock, is one of the best sports cars money can buy. It's faster, has better handling and there's much more space inside. From a performance standpoint, there's no comparing the two and it costs about the same as the JCW. There's also the Golf GTI, and its more powerful cousin, the Golf R. In the hot hatchback bible, the GTI is Genesis. A jack-of-all-trades, that does everything well, including carrying passengers. The GTI starts at less than $40,000 and the Golf R adds all-wheel drive and has more than 300 horsepower and, at around $51,000, is still less expensive than the JCW. So, what exactly does the Mini get you besides its form factor and cuteness? Depending on who you ask, it has the best interior of its rivals and the best infotainment system. There's textured fabric on the dash and doors, ambient light projectors, heritage-inspired toggle switches and the fabulous round infotainment screen. The system is responsive and easy to use and the display is sharp with the best graphics in the business. Mini positions the Cooper as a premium small car and it feels like that. Where the Honda and VW can blend into the background, the Mini will always get noticed. It has a more expressive and joyful design, which might be worth it to some. It's also smaller than just about everything else on the road. A GTI is more than a foot longer, making the JCW a true city car that's easy to park just about anywhere. Small sporty cars are already in a niche market and the JCW is like a niche within that niche. It's a great little hatch, I just wish it were $10,000 cheaper. 2025 Mini Cooper 3-door John Cooper Works Shopping for a new car? Check out the new Globe Drive Build and Price Tool to see the latest discounts, rebates and rates on new cars, trucks and SUVs. Click here to get your price.
