The Fluence (Renault), the Cruze (Chevrolet), and the Civic (Honda) will no longer be there. In their replacement, names such as Traker (Chevrolet), Captur (Renault), Nivus (VW), Pulse (Fiat) or Kicks (Nissan) will appear. The Super TC2000, one of the highest categories of national motorsport, will be the visible face of the new automotive market, in which sedan cars leave their space to the B segment of the SUV (sport utility vehicle).
What is a consumer trend forced the Super TC2000 to be converted. “We are convinced that people want to see the cars they have on the street on the track. The public wants to feel like a fan of the vehicle they decided to buy. And for that, we have to work and make that car a racing car, the one that makes them fans again, the one they want to win. So, the real option there is is reality and the reality is that the SUV segment is the car that today has the largest market share not only in Argentina, but in the world. The best-selling car in the world is the SUV“, Explain Alejandro Levy, president of TC2000.
Competence. In this context, brands are accelerating the pace of launching new models. The SUV segment promises to be the star of the market in the short and medium term, as part of a global trend. For example, Honda has just presented the third generation of its B-SUV, the HR-V. Produced in Brazil, the announcement is part of the strategy that the Japanese company had proposed for this year and next, and which consists of “the arrival of new models and the updating of several of the classics,” as indicated.
For its part, within the framework of a renewal of its range, Volkswagen It has been showing news about restylings and new generations for its models. The German has already presented the “facelift” of the Polo, added the Polo Track to the repertoire and launched the “facelift” of the Virtus in Brazil. In this line of news, a few months ago images of the redesign of the T-Cross, the B-segment SUV for Europe, had been leaked. In Brazil, where it is manufactured for the region, it was indicated that, based on the first test units seen at the Sao José dos Pinhais plant, the update will be almost the same as that seen in Europe and is scheduled for early 2024.
renault It is another one that warms up the engines. Its new model, Kardian, will be located above the Sandero and the Stepway, with a positioning at the top of the B-SUV segment, it will be produced in Brazil and will be the kickoff in the region for the phase called “Renewal”. with which Renault will seek to revitalize its identity. The Kardian will be the first model in Latin America to use a completely new platform that is modular and global, which means that it offers wide versatility to be used in different segments and receive various propulsion systems, whether thermal such as gasoline, diesel or flex (with ethanol blend) or electrified, both hybrid and plug-in hybrid. “It will not come to replace any existing model. It will be located above Sandero and Stepway, with a positioning at the top of the B-SUV segment,” he maintains. Pablo Sibilla, president of Renault Argentina.
The new Citroën C3 Aircross, produced in Brazil, is another novelty. It has an engine that brings together exclusive technologies, ample interior space, a removable third row of seats and the largest trunk among its direct rivals. ANDThe model developed in South America and produced at the Stellantis Industrial Center in Porto Real (Brazil) will have, among its engines, the Turbo 200 with up to 125 HP and 200 Nm of torque, the one with the highest power and torque in the category.
Leadership. The numbers are overwhelming. In 2022, sales in this segment grew by 13% compared to the previous year. In the case of VW, It sold 2,869 Nivus and 1,577 T-Cross. “There is a noticeable drop in demand for sedans. This decline was transferred to the SUV segment in general,” they confirm from the German automaker. Is it a segment that competes with traditional SUVs or are they complementary? “They are complementary. “Volkswagen offers a wide range of SUVs that adapt to the needs of all our customers,” they respond.
What is the buyer profile of this type of products? Young people, many in couples and even with a child, in general terms, who demand interior space, comfort, practicality, design and are moved by trends.
“In general terms, the SUV segment had a sustained growth trend over passenger vehicles as a result of the global trend. Starting in 2017, stagnation began to be seen as a consequence of import restrictions mainly, since only two or three models (B/C and D-SUV) are produced locally and all the rest imported. The B-SUV segment is where this situation is felt most. A large number of models and only one of national production,” he details. Martin ScrimagliaBrand Manager at Fiat.
When it comes to making a report and balance of this 2023 on the units that plan to market in this niche, Scrimaglia is optimistic: “We hope that in 2023 we will reach a total that exceeds 78,000 units, 19% of the total annual sales of the market”, iindica.
On the other hand, in the case of the B-SUVs segment, “we expect a total of more than 36,000 units, almost 9% of the total market,” concludes the executive of the Stellantis group, which is planning the launch of the Pulse ABARHT (it will be shortly) and, then, the arrival of the Fastback which is expected in the first quarter of 2024. Projections of a segment that not only takes to the track, but also aims to dominate the market.
by Marcelo Alfano
