Over the previous 20 years, we now have seen how world economies have turn out to be more and more related due to globalization. This development has resulted in commerce agreements and elevated migration, which in flip have inspired nearer integration between the world’s economies. The automotive trade has been one of many main winners of this development.
Regardless of the advantages, new challenges are rising that undo the progress made up to now. As China turns into an actual competitor to Western dominance, we’re heading in the direction of an inevitable confrontation between these two blocs. Among the many achievements of globalization, commerce is probably probably the most uncovered to this new actuality. And it is already beginning to affect the brand new vehicles we see on the roads.
One World, One Product?

We’re beginning to see an increasing number of vehicles for particular markets, versus a worldwide commonplace. Simply as earlier than the Nineties, completely different areas and completely different markets are beginning to turn out to be extra impartial when it comes to product and provide chain. Certainly, the latter was one more reason for favoring localization: sourcing regionally to provide regionally manufactured vehicles.
Toyota, the world’s largest automaker by gross sales quantity, was a great instance of world autos. The Corolla and RAV4 are nearly equivalent in all areas, despite the fact that they’re manufactured in several areas. They’re one of the best instance of a profitable world automobile. Nevertheless, we’re seeing new localized merchandise that aren’t obtainable all over the place.
For instance, along with the Yaris fashions obtainable in Europe and Asia, Toyota has simply offered the brand new Yaris Cross for rising markets, a lot bigger than the one obtainable in Europe. The model additionally rebadges choose Suzuki vehicles for its lineup in India, Africa, and the Center East.

Citroën’s C-Cubed plan is one other instance of the rising localization. It’s a technique that includes the event, manufacturing, and sale of vehicles designed for rising markets, extra exactly for India and South America. Therefore the introduction of a unique Citroën C3 and, extra not too long ago, the Citroën C3 Aircross. These vehicles use completely different platforms from their European siblings and are cheaper to provide.
Hyundai can also be introducing extra localized vehicles. The small crossover Exter, the counterpart of the Hyundai Casper, will quickly be launched in India. Brazil has its personal model of the i20 with the HB20. In each circumstances, localization is the reply to the modified revenue situations of customers. This is kind of the case with the Fiat Panda for Europe and the Mobi for South America.
The South American Case
Resulting from revenue gaps, rules, or just variations in style between markets, there are various different circumstances of localization. Essentially the most well-known is the Toyota Tacoma for North America and its Hilux counterpart for the remainder of the world.
Nissan nonetheless sells the fourth era of the Micra in Latin America the place it is referred to as the March, whereas the latest-gen mannequin is offered in Europe. It’s the identical case with the Renault Captur; the primary era nonetheless fights within the Latin American B-SUV phase, with the newest mannequin obtainable in Europe. Suzuki presents two completely different Altos relying on whether or not you might be in India or Japan. The Volkswagen Tiguan, obtainable in Europe and China, was changed by the cheaper Taos in most Latin American markets.

The creator of the article, Felipe Munoz, is an Automotive Business Specialist at JATO Dynamics.