The latest historical past of the European pick-up truck market is an uncharacteristically epic story of growth and bust, of surprising twists and turns, new arrivals and sudden exits. It’s much more fascinating than you may suppose.
Not so way back, these automobiles had been such massive enterprise that nearly each main quantity automobile maker was planning an entry. Many questioned if Europe may, like North America, lastly and totally embrace the life-style pick-up. And now, after manufacturers like Renault, Fiat and even Mercedes-Benz tried – and failed – to determine a presence within the phase, which has been by way of each speedy expansions and contractions, solely the doughtiest operators are left.
The life-style experiment definitely left its mark on this phase. Formerly fairly utilitarian machines have grow to be more and more glamourous and lavishly kitted out, as their makers have wooed personal patrons and fleet ‘user-choosers’ with SUV-level consolation and refinement, eye-catching model and family-friendly versatility.
So the place does that depart us? Well, pick-ups nonetheless make plenty of sense, notably as a software for the job. So lengthy as it will possibly carry at the least a tonne of payload, it’s doable to assert the VAT again on the acquisition worth (which is why their costs are often quoted ex-VAT). And should you’re self-employed and use one as a business automobile, you’ll pay simply £320 in VED per yr.
If you intend to then additionally use your organization pick-up for personal miles, it might be loads cheaper than an equal petrol or diesel automobile, as pick-ups appeal to solely £792 of firm ‘van’ tax per yr for 20% taxpayers.
Here’s our choose of the very best pick-up vans for 2024.
Cons: No electrical model (but), sizzling Raptor is not a correct business automobile
An all-new Ford Ranger landed in UK showrooms in 2023, to all intents and functions because the third-generation mannequin to the UK. This is Britain’s hottest small truck. So whereas the remainder of this market has shrunk, Ford has continued to make hay (and little doubt carried it within the Ranger’s generously sized load bay) – and if the developments of the latest-generation mannequin, our new class favorite, are any dependable information, it ought to proceed to.
While the late-Nineties unique was developed in partnership with Mazda, this newest iteration (primarily a growth of the outdated T6 one) is the fruit of a business automobile collaboration with Volkswagen that permits the German agency to primarily rebadge the Ranger – after some lightish inside and exterior design tweaks – because the Amarok.
Whereas the Stratofreighter used a “flying boom” refueling system, the Pegasus makes use of a probe-and-drogue system (aka hose-and-drogue). Instead of a inflexible tube, a “long, flexible hose with a funnel-shaped drogue on the end” plugs straight right into a retractable probe on the airplane needing gasoline. This computerized fly-by-wire system will be operated independently from the growth system.
Since the first perform of this airplane is to offer gasoline to state-of-the-art plane, the Pegasus should characteristic upgrades not seen earlier than. The receiver envelope on the KC-46A’s growth is 3 times bigger than the one discovered on the previous KC-135. It can carry 212,000 kilos of gasoline, and since first being delivered to McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas in January 2019, has offloaded greater than 100 million kilos of gasoline.
The KC-46A is not only a passive beast that feeds fuel-starved fighter jets. It’s outfitted with combat-ready real-time countermeasures, all of which mix “to detect, avoid, defeat, and survive threats.” Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) integration can present the fleet with situational consciousness by exchanging knowledge with the planes throughout refueling. Additionally, it is hardened in opposition to nuclear, chemical, and organic assaults, and the flight deck armor provides one other layer of safety.
However, the Pegasus isn’t with out its issues. Not solely has it value Boeing over $7 billion in losses, however it’s additionally within the midst of fixing a number of “Category 1 deficiencies” with the plane. An Air Force spokesperson mentioned these deficiencies are so extreme they “may cause death, severe injury, or severe occupational illness” if not corrected.
The European car market has undergone significant changes in the past two decades, with the rise of Tesla and the entry of Chinese brands. Europe, being a highly competitive market with strict safety and emissions standards, has seen shifts in the dominance of traditional car manufacturers.
Europe is the third largest automotive market in the world, after China and the United States, and it ranks second in terms of electric vehicle adoption. However, when it comes to the past 20 years, some car brands have fared better than others.
Big Brands Shrinking?
Between 2003 and 2023, the European automotive market witnessed a significant shift in brand dominance. Traditionally, Europe has been led by seven major automakers: Fiat from Italy, Citroen, Peugeot, and Renault from France, Volkswagen and Opel from Germany, and Ford from the UK.
In 2003, these seven brands (including Opel with Vauxhall) held almost 58 percent of new car registrations in Europe across 29 markets. Due to their strong presence in their respective home markets, they maintained a relatively strong position compared to Japanese and Korean brands.
For instance, Opel had a market share of 10 percent in Germany, while Renault had 27 percent in France. Although these figures were lower compared to the 1990s, they were still satisfactory because Korean brands had not yet made significant progress, and Japanese brands were trying to win over European consumers.
And Then Came SUVs
The dynamics started to shift with the popularity of SUVs, which began with the launch of the first-generation Nissan Qashqai. Additionally, Hyundai and Kia established manufacturing plants in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, producing competitive cars that appealed to local consumers.
As a result, in 2013, the Big-7 brands accounted for nearly 49 percent of the European car market, a decrease of 9 percentage points compared to a decade earlier. Between 2003 and 2013, six of these brands saw a decline in market share, ranging from a 0.9-point decrease for Fiat to a 4-point decrease for Renault. The exception was Volkswagen, which increased its market share from 9.8 percent in 2003 to 12.6 percent in 2013.
Who Came Out on Top?
In addition to Volkswagen’s slight gain in market share, the biggest winners over the past 20 years have been German premium brands, Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, and most recently, Tesla. These brands possess a greater level of flexibility compared to their European counterparts.
This allows them to introduce fresh products faster, catering to the evolving needs of consumers. Moreover, they were less affected by the European crisis between 2011 and 2014, and their strong global presence enabled them to save costs.
Will other struggling brands learn from their success?
The author of the article, Felipe Munoz, is an Automotive Industry Specialist at JATO Dynamics.
Tire blowouts can be terrifying. Two years ago, the author experienced a loud explosion when a Firestone Firehawk tire blew out while maneuvering in a parking lot. Thankfully, there was no damage to the car or wheel. However, the driver of a classic Triumph TR7 convertible wasn’t as fortunate. They lost control of the vehicle after the right rear tire blew out in a dramatic fashion.
In addition to the blowout, the timing of the video captured by a Tesla Model 3’s exterior camera is uncanny. The video, posted on YouTube by ViralHog, shows the Tesla driving on an Ohio highway. As the driver passes cars in the left lane, they encounter a small convertible easily identified as a classic TR7. The moment is caught on camera as the driver’s side rear tire explodes, emitting a puff of material.
After the tire explodes, chunks of rubber fly, causing the car to veer left and then spin out to the right. Fortunately, there are no other cars nearby, allowing the vehicle to do a full 360-degree spin before sliding backward into a deep ditch. The camera car stops, and according to the video description, the driver of the TR7 is reported to be unharmed.
This video raises awareness about tire blowouts and safety. To gain more insight, we reached out to Jonathan Benson, an expert from Tire-Reviews.com. He mentioned that while modern tires are more durable than in the past, manufacturers have been focusing on reducing rolling resistance. This lighter construction can make the tires weaker and more prone to damage from potholes. However, Benson emphasized that neglect, such as running tires at low pressure or not noticing uneven wear, is the main cause of blowouts.
Benson explains that a nail in a tire typically does not cause a catastrophic failure like the one shown in the video. There needs to be significant structural damage for such an event to occur. From his experience, the main reasons for blowouts are running tires at low pressure or driving with unnoticed, uneven wear. Unfortunately, blowouts are more likely to happen at high speeds when the tire structure weakens due to heat and centrifugal forces are at their highest.
In just two seconds after the tire blowout, the driver loses control, and within six seconds, the car ends up in a ditch. The video serves as a reminder to thoroughly check tires before hitting the road. Stay safe out there, everyone!
Munich / Boom. The Tomorrowland festival in the Belgian town of Boom near Antwerp is a globally renowned event that attracts fans of electronic dance music. Building on their successful partnership from last year, BMW and the popular music festival are taking their collaboration to the next level. This time, they are introducing an innovative way for music enthusiasts across Europe to create their own dance hits with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) and share them on social media.
By incorporating AI into its first pan-European social media campaign, BMW once again demonstrates its commitment to driving innovation in the premium car industry. Teaming up with The Marcom Engine, BMW’s European agency platform, the company employs cutting-edge technology to create an unparalleled music experience.
The unique sound exploration experience offered by futurerecord.ai allows electronic dance music lovers to create personalized songs through the “Track to Tomorrow” initiative. Users engage in a chatbot conversation where they answer various questions about their preferred music genre, tempo, current mood, and visions for the Tomorrowland festival. Based on each participant’s responses, the AI mixes a customized “Track to Tomorrow” by assigning specific musical elements to their answers. Additionally, the answers are used to generate original lyrics for the track using a ChatGPT interface, which are then displayed in sync with the beat.
Encouraging social media sharing, the finished “Track to Tomorrow” is enhanced by AI-generated high-impact cover artwork. It can be directly shared from the AI application using a link, and users can also download various assets optimized for social media, such as a video featuring the AI-generated visuals and audio track, ideal for platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Moreover, participants have the option to add an intro with a dedication, further increasing the shareability of this unique content.
This Europe-wide social media campaign will generate and share content across all European markets leading up to, during, and after the actual event. Influencer activation and an innovative marketing strategy on TikTok complement the campaign. Overall, BMW’s first pan-European social media campaign aims to highlight the strength of the European social hub while reinforcing the brand’s reputation for innovation.
The futurerecord.ai website went live on September 17, 2022.
Personal urban mobility has become increasingly popular in Europe and Asia, offering a sustainable alternative to cars and public transport. While the US is still catching up, lightweight electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining traction, especially in urban areas.
Innovation in electric personal mobility continues to redefine transportation, with unique and innovative vehicles emerging from various manufacturers. One such example is the TOM, an electric scooter developed by Italian start-up To-Move. While motorcyclists may view it as a toy, the TOM has the potential to revolutionize urban mobility.
The TOM scooter stands out with its unique folding design, making it incredibly compact for storage – a valuable feature for urban dwellers concerned about space. It also features a seat, offering a more comfortable riding position compared to traditional stand-up e-scooters. This facilitates longer commutes as it reduces strain on the rider’s knees and hips.
Additionally, the TOM scooter offers a comfortable ride with its suspension fork that absorbs small bumps and road imperfections. It also comes equipped with disc brakes, all while maintaining a lightweight design of just 20 kilograms. To-Move claims that folding the TOM takes only seven seconds, making it easy to transport in a car, bus, train, or store under a desk.
Technologically, the TOM scooter is powered by a 500-watt rear hub motor, similar to those found in commuter-oriented electric bicycles. This motor provides a top speed of 28 miles per hour. The scooter is equipped with a 750-watt-hour battery pack integrated into the frame, offering a range of approximately 35 miles on a single charge. Charging the scooter via a standard household socket takes about four hours.
In Europe, the To-Move TOM electric scooter is priced at 2,750 Euros, approximately $3,000 USD. While cheaper e-scooters or e-bikes are available, none of them feature the stylish design of the TOM. To-Move is currently running a Kickstarter campaign to fund production, with plans to start manufacturing in the fall of 2023.
In the late 1980s, the Japanese economy experienced a significant boom. This was largely due to the Plaza Accord signed by the U.S., Japan, Germany, France, and the U.K., which caused their currencies to gain strength against the dollar. The resulting asset price bubble led to prosperity in various sectors, including the automotive industry. Automakers like Toyota, Honda, and Nissan all launched luxury divisions that have since become well-known names.
Prior to the economic boom, Japanese car sales increased from a 6.5 percent market share in 1973 to over 20 percent in 1980, largely due to the U.S. oil crisis.
Japan had to sign the “Voluntary Export Restraint” agreement to slow down their exports to the U.S.
Mazda, known for its legendary Miata, RX sports cars, and current CX models, also launched its own luxury division during this time. The division, called Amati, aimed to establish Mazda as a renowned luxury automaker. However, Mazda faced challenges, and the economic downturn prevented the Amati brand from taking off. Despite its potential, Amati’s failure affected Mazda’s trajectory in the luxury car market.
Amati Was Launched In 1991
Mazda saw the success of other Japanese luxury divisions and wanted to be part of that market. The Amati brand was formed to take advantage of the economic surge and establish Mazda as a competitor to German automakers. Mazda announced Amati in 1991, around the same time they won the 24-hours of Le Mans race with the 787B racecar. The Amati 1000, under development at that time, was intended to be the flagship vehicle. Mazda even opened an office in Irvine, California for research and development. However, Mazda was venturing into the luxury car market without a solid backup plan or previous experience in this sector. Before Amati, Mazda was not considered in the same league as Toyota or Honda.
Mazda’s history involves surviving the Hiroshima bombing in 1945, avoiding a merger with Toyota in the 1960s, and navigating the 1973 oil crisis. During the 1980s, Mazda faced financial struggles and employees even had to clean up after work due to budget constraints. This work condition was also observed by employees in California. However, Mazda aimed to take on luxury brands like Lexus, Mercedes, and BMW, and had signed up 67 U.S. dealers to sell the upcoming Amati.
The Amati 1000 Was Going To Have A V-12 Engine Not A W-12
Donut Media
Mazda’s prototype W-12 engine
Early speculations about the Amati suggested it would have a W-12 engine. In 1989, Mazda showcased a compact four-liter W-12 engine at the Tokyo Motor Show. However, the Amati was not equipped with a W-12 engine. The W-12 design, which consisted of three banks of inline-four engines, had never been used before and was complicated but compact.
Proposed Amati Engine Specs
Engine
NA V-12
Displacement
5.0-liter
Power (Estimated)
280 horsepower
Torque (Estimated)
245 pound-feet
Mazda planned to use an existing V-6 engine known as the K-series in the Amati. They intended to utilize the internals of the K-series engine in a new cylinder block designed for the Amati. This approach saved Mazda development costs as the V-6 engine was already well-built and compact.
Economic Bust: Amati’s Implosion
Donut Media
Unconfirmed images of the Amati 1000
Developing a luxury car requires substantial investment. Lexus, for example, spent over $1 billion to develop the LS, and Mercedes exceeded its budget to maintain a high standard for the new S-class. Mazda, with a smaller budget, had already spent over $400 million on Amati. Unfortunately, Mazda’s timing couldn’t have been worse. The Japanese economic bubble burst in 1994, the same year Amati was set to go on sale, leading to the downfall of the luxury brand. Mazda, like many other sectors, faced the impact of the burst and the subsequent long-term recession known as “the lost decade.” Unlike established luxury automakers with greater capital, Mazda struggled due to its limited financial resources.
Amati’s President, Dick Colliver, joined Honda and took the learnings from Amati to Honda’s Acura division. This may have contributed to the success of Acura vehicles in the luxury car market. While brands like Lexus, Acura, and Infiniti continue to thrive, Mazda shut down the Amati division before it even launched its first car.
Factors contributing to Amati’s failure:
Bad timing: Launching a luxury brand just before an economic disaster.
Capital Deficit: Limited financial resources compared to other established luxury brands.
Poor Management: Mazda already struggled with managing its existing sub-brands.
Mazda Also Had Other Luxury Brands
Mazda
Rolling shot of a Mazda Xedos 9
Mazda Had Other Sub-Brands And Partnerships To Keep Them Afloat
Brand
Production Years
Purpose
Model
Rebadged
Autozam
1989-1998
Small cars and Kei cars, mainly rebadged Suzuki and Mazda models
Suzuki Cara
Autozam AZ-1
Eunos
1989-1996
Upscale version of existing cars sold in Japan and Australia
Mazda also ventured into other luxury brands. Moreover, they had a division dedicated to selling Ford vehicles. However, these sub-brands and partnerships did not fare well, and the cars produced under these brands did not uphold Mazda’s reputation. Mazda experimented with various car types, including luxury cars, Kei cars, luxury sports cars, and mid-engine cars. Ultimately, Mazda had to shut down most of its subsidiary brands by 1999.
Today, Mazda is known for producing quality cars, particularly the CX models and the enduring popularity of the Miata as a fun, lightweight sports car. Although Mazda could potentially launch a luxury brand now with its current success, the memory of Amati remains bitter, and Mazda denies its existence. All documentation related to the luxury brand has been destroyed or concealed, leaving no official photos or brochures. It’s as if the Amati brand never existed. The failure of Amati continues to leave us wondering what Mazda’s position would be in the market if it had succeeded.
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