Worldwide Sales Results in First-Half 2014: DS Brand Off to a Flying Start DS, the French premium automotive brand, is confirming its momentum with 63,800 cars sold in the world in first-half 2014. Driven by its performance in China, which now accounts for 16% of the overall sales, the DS Brand is facing headwinds in Europe, where the premium market covered by DS is in a downturn. The first half was strong on new product events. The DS brand is pursuing that dynamic with the launches of a new light signature for DS 3 and DS 3 Cabrio, the new limited editions, the new engines and its first SUV in China in September. DS, the French premium automotive brand DS is a brand since June 1st, 2014. Today, it is off to a flying start. The Brand has taken 468,000 orders since the launch of the DS 3 in March 2010. DS’s product range is composed by four worldwide models – DS 3, DS 3 Cabrio, DS 4 and DS 5 – as well as the DS 5LS which was launched in China in March this year. The DS cars stand apart through their remarkable design, ultimate refinement, premium materials and technology. DS, a strategy based on values: In the first half of the year, 63,800 DS cars were sold in the world. The variation of sales volumes by region is contrasted comparing to the 1st half of 2013. Moreover, this period was strong on new product events. • In Europe (30 countries), nearly 50,000 DS cars were registered, representing a decrease of over 20% due to : • a very strong first-half 2013, when DS maintained its volumes under a contracting European market (- 6.7%). • in addition, during the first five months of 2014, the premium market covered by DS was less dynamic (-1.7%) than the overall market (+6.6%). In France, which is DS brand’s fist market, the premium segment decreased 15%. Given this situation, DS is focusing its strategy on maintaining the value of its cars. The first half of the year was highlighted by several new product events, for example: The DS 5 is equipped with a new suspension system, a new 6-speed automatic gearbox and two new engines (the BlueHDi 180 and 120). These engines, already compliant with the future Euro6 standard, are powerful, fuel efficient and eco-friendly. The DS 5 BlueHDi 180 with the 6-speed auto gearbox develops the torque of 400 Nm at 2,000 rpm for combined-cycle fuel consumption of 4.4 l/100 km and 114 g/km of CO2. These performances are the best in their segment. The limited edition as the ‘’DS 4 Wifi On Board’’ in Italy , the “DS 3 Dark Rose” in Switzerland and France, and the “DS 3 by Benefit” in the UK. Moreover, in May, the DS 3 was voted ‘Best Small Car’ by JD Power in UK with a customer satisfaction score of 79.3%. In China, the world largest and fast-growing automotive market, DS recently celebrated its second anniversary as a brand. DS sold 10,400 cars in first-half 2014 vs 1,000 in the first half of 2013. China now accounts for 16% of the overall sales of DS. This performance was driven by: - the network development that now accounts 60 dealerships; - the local production of two cars, the DS 5 and the DS 5LS. During the past six months, 4,900 DS 5 were sold, in line with the objectives. The DS 5LS has also a promising start, 4,900 cars having been sold in 3 months . For the rest of the world, DS sold 3,500 vehicles in a market greatly impacted by currency effects and significantly down. For example, Eurasia which includes Russia and Ukraine, the market is down 9.5% and Latin America, 9.2% (especially in Argentina, - 24%). DS continues its momentum In second-half 2014, there will be several new product events, such as : Early July, the arrival in showrooms of the DS3 and DS 3 Cabrio with the new light signature. They are technologically well equipped with: - Projectors that combine LED and Xenon technologies to new indicators scrolling direction. A world first while maintaining the design of DS 3 and DS 3 Cabrio gives them a unique look; - Automatic braking system Active City Brake. A new technology of PSA of emergency city braking which avoids collisions at urban driving - New engines at the front position with BlueHDi 120 and 100. The second one has a combined fuel consumption of 3 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of 79 g / km. The DS3 and DS 3 Cabrio with the new light signature offer new customisation possibilities, among which the new “Irresistible Paris” design scheme featuring depictions of the capital city’s monuments • New limited editions such as the ‘’DS 4 Wifi On Board’’ will be available starting from September in France. • DS will launch its first SUV, the DS 6 Wild & Refined, by the end of September in China. Finally, the DS network continues its development and will have 100 dealerships in total by the end of the year in China. In parallel, the European network will count 50 DS Salon by the end of the ye
Posted on: Thu, 17 Jul 2014 07:49:30 +0000
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