How ‘base model’ cars are impacting on
European sales
Recession-hit Europe IS getting in on the
budget car act, too. According to calculations by Credit Suisse analysts, ‘base
model' sales in Europe between May 2011 and May 2012 added up to more than 1.5
million units, or some 12 per cent of the new car market.
Although more than a million of these base
model European sales were thought to be entry-price versions of sophisticated
European small cars, the other 400,000 models were true budget cars such as
Dacia models and budget Indian-built cars such as the Nissan Pixo.
How
the super-budget car of the future could be made
Credit Suisse says the base car sector has
been steadily gaining market share in Europe for well over a decade. This and
the advance of premium car sales have put the European middle market under
pressure. Indeed, squeezed volumes for mass-market cars, combined with huge
price pressures, have resulted in wafer-thin margins or outright losses for
mainstream brands.
And the trend towards super-budget cars
looks set to continue as the wider European economy flat-lines and many
consumers look for ultimate value in a reliable new car. It could also be
argued that the trend towards super-budget brands, such as Renault's Dacia, is
also a reaction to the endless rise of the premium brands.
How the super-budget car of the future could be made
Side impact beam
The side impact beam between the A-pillars
usually hidden under the dashboard - is exposed and used as a mount for the
steering column. The column is adjustable, as is the pedal box; the driver’s
seat is fixed. Very basic instruments are attached to the bar, as well as a
‘clip-on’ airbag and storage container. Heating/ventilation pokes through a
hole in the bulkhead.
Engine
The two-cylinder engine, in turbo form,
should develop nearly 160bhp per liter. The car’s lightness should make
60-70bhp from a naturally aspirated version adequate in base models. It drives
a seven-speed CVT transmission that is light and compact. Accommodating gas
tanks an increasingly popular fuel in smoggy cities is easy because of the
molded floor-pan. Rear axle is a simple twist beam.
Bumper
The one-piece bumper houses complete
headlamp units, which are mounted inboard of the corners to reduce the risk of
damage. The door (right) is made up of a frame and window guide in a single
plastic molding. Magnesium casting provides structure for the crash beam,
hinges and lock mount. The outer skin is in molded plastic.
Bonnet/wings
One-piece bonnet/wings are made as a single
composite molding and bolted on to the front crash structure. Access to water
and oil is via the service hatch and the bonnet is removed for major servicing
only. Aluminum ‘crush cans' are used for crash absorption, the smaller legs,
which are easily replaced, being for low-speed impacts. Lotus proposes ‘short
arm, long arm’ front suspension.
Tailgate
The tailgate, much like the door
construction, uses a cast magnesium structural frame and composite outer skin.
The roof panels and body side are molded plastics. Roof panels are bonded to
aluminum roof rails and could be clear plastic.
Seats
They’re far simpler than in a conventional
car. Their bases are attached directly to the floor-pan. Mounts for the front
seatbacks are bolted to the floor-pan, allowing them to adjust and tumble
forward. The rear seatback is also attached to the floor. Passenger seats can
be removed quickly.
The budget car players
Dacia
Dacia
Romanian maker Dacia had used ancient
Renaults, such as the 12, as the basis for its own models. Renault bought the
company in 1999 and the first new Dacia was launched in 2004. Based on the Clio
2 platform and built in low-cost countries, its range now has a global
footprint and about a million cars are built off the Dacia MO platform.
Tata Nano
Tata
Nano
A very utilitarian 624cc, two-cylinder Tata
Nano is priced from just $2,550, but sales have slowed to a trickle, despite
predictions that it would sell in large numbers as Indian families shifted from
motorcycles. New diesel and gas-powered versions are intended to revive its
fortunes.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen
Its budget car will be targeted initially
at China and sold under a new brand. VW engineers are currently trying to get
the costs of the final product as low as possible so the car will be profitable
at its entry price of about $8,100. An Indian version is likely, but European
sales won’t happen.
Fiat
Fiat
Fiat has carried out a study on building a
super-budget car. Although it cannot ignore the market, it risks undermining
demand for its cheaper models. The firm is looking at where it might have
low-cost production capacity. Ironically, the original Panda was arguably the
first super-budget car.
Datsun/Lada
Datsun
Renault's sister firm, Nissan, is working
on an all-new super-budget platform that will underpin Ladas in Russia and a
new range of cars using the old Datsun brand. A new factory is being built in
India, with plans for a medium-term output of 400,000 units.
