BTCC 2019 season discussion, News and Rumours!

[btccbloke]

of course more likely is him referring to putting last year to bed and 2019 is the new challenge ahead

[redshoes]

Originally Posted by Robshillito1990

It's entirely possible that maybe Bmr have got a deal with a new car and maybe this is the new challenge that ash Sutton was referring to in his Twitter post the other day

BMR seemingly struggle to find the money to run the cars they already have. Are you really expecting them to be able to fund the building of a new car?

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by redshoes

BMR seemingly struggle to find the money to run the cars they already have. Are you really expecting them to be able to fund the building of a new car?

Didn’t their designer go to Australia ?

[Alfisti]

Carlos indeed went to Oz. A year prior to going to Oz Carlos ceased to be JPs race engineer. Which coincided with the loss of form. Discuss...

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Carlos indeed went to Oz. A year prior to going to Oz Carlos ceased to be JPs race engineer. Which coincided with the loss of form. Discuss...

And the Australian team perked up....

[BobJones]

Originally Posted by Robshillito1990

It's entirely possible that maybe Bmr have got a deal with a new car and maybe this is the new challenge that ash Sutton was referring to in his Twitter post the other day

I think it's a drive elsewhere and in a different series. He talked about 'other opportunities' on the Autosport stage.

[Heavyd123]

Or maybe using one of their spare cars?

[crmalcolm]

Ash Sutton's reference to 'other opportunities' is more related to his brand promotion and merchandise sales.
As with almost any driver, he'll always keep his mind open to other series. It's no surprise, and more than sensible, to refer to his TCR Europe stint in a positive light. His true motivation to drive elsewhere will rely on how much he (and his manager Warren) can make from it.

'I’m interested in TCR for sure. Yesterday and today so far have made me a little bit more hungry for it, and from the phone call I had with Warren last night, from a manager’s point of view, it’s a good step for us.'

[S griffin]

The fact is, Ash Sutton is one of those tin top drivers who can do well anywhere and he’s proved that with his stint in TCR Europe

[BobJones]

His talents deserve a stint overseas.

[touring fan01]

Originally Posted by BobJones

His talents deserve a stint overseas.

or at least with a team that is more stable than bmr, like wsr for example

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by touring fan01

or at least with a team that is more stable than bmr, like wsr for example

How good would that be?!

[VXDave]

So I'm not sure the BTCC is working for Subaru in terms of Levorg sales. I've just read an Autocar article that says only 18 found homes in the UK last year! 🤣

[Alfisti]

In total Subaru shifted 3000 cars in 2018. That's 0.13 % of the market. Given the models they're selling, their blind insistence that thirsty petrol boxer engines with CVT gearboxes is the Gospel it's not exactly a recipe for success. I've not understood why they bother, they haven't had a marketable product since all lads called Wayne were queuing up for blue Imprezas back in the day.

[aland]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

In total Subaru shifted 3000 cars in 2018. That's 0.13 % of the market. Given the models they're selling, their blind insistence that thirsty petrol boxer engines with CVT gearboxes is the Gospel it's not exactly a recipe for success. I've not understood why they bother, they haven't had a marketable product since all lads called Wayne were queuing up for blue Imprezas back in the day.

you philistine, new sboobs arent brilliant but older ones are. name me a car that has 250bhp, 4wd,, can sleep/fit a wardrobe in the back and can buy a decent one and have change out of £ 500... i give you the legacy from 96 to gen 4's of 2004. 500 of your pound coins will buy you a car in good condition with mot and they are bulletproof, nice twin turbo 4cyl or if you like your power to have torque a flat 6 nornally aspirated.

save the rest of your wonga for a few tankerfuls of fuel as 30mpg isnt great and if you redline a twinny you can get 8mpg but think of the fun compared to a focus or astra... my name isny wayne, its al

[porsche962fan]

Originally Posted by aland

yname me a car that has 250bhp, 4wd,, can sleep/fit a wardrobe in the back and can buy a decent one and have change out of £ 500..l

Lancer Evo ?

speaking of Mitsubishi sucks that the Lancer isn't ofered in UK, would be great NGCT car

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by porsche962fan

Lancer Evo ?

speaking of Mitsubishi sucks that the Lancer isn't ofered in UK, would be great NGCT car

3 1/2 thousand mile service intervals
Were a pain in the ar$e

[Alfisti]

...not too mention the wallet. Still, handy if you needed to iron a shirt 🙄

[V8 Fireworks]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

In total Subaru shifted 3000 cars in 2018. That's 0.13 % of the market.

Subaru poor sales are mainly because they have a 10% tariff on all their products since they are all imported from Japan [EU places a 10% tariff on all imported cars]. Likewise Mazda. Therefore a noncompetitive price, therefore poor sales.

While Toyota, Nissan and Honda have factories inside the EU for now, their UK factories are not going to be considered to be in the EU zone for much longer, which could be problematic!

PS. With respect to Subaru the CVT autos are unfortunate but the manual transmissions are fine... with regards to mainly offering petrols, diesel is certainly not the answer and is obviously being phased out in the EU (not to mention Subaru's diesels are fairly mediocre).

As an example, the Australian market is very different and Subaru and Mazda sales -- without the hindrance of an import tariff -- are quite competitive:

2017 sales in Australia:
1. Toyota — 216,566 (+3.3%)
2. Mazda — 116,349 (-1.6%)
3. Hyundai — 97,013 (-4.5%)
4. Holden — 90,306 (-4.2%)
5. Mitsubishi — 80,654 (+9.9%)
6. Ford — 78,161 (-3.8%)
7. Volkswagen — 58,004 (+2.5%)
8. Nissan — 56,594 (-15.3%)
9. Kia — 54,737 (+28.3%)
10. Subaru — 52,511 (+11.7%)
11. Honda — 46,783 (+14.6%)
12. Mercedes-Benz Cars — 37,068 (+3.1%)
13. Isuzu Ute — 25,804 (+10.4%)
14. BMW — 23,619 (-15.7%)
15. Audi — 22,011 (-9.3%)
18. Renault — 10,812 (-2.7%)
22. Skoda — 5350 (+12.4%)
25. Mini — 3712 (-1.4%)
26. Peugeot — 3392 (+8.4%)
https://www.carsales.com.au/editoria...losers-110434/

Subaru's products were good enough to attract +11.7% more buyers.

As you can see the UK's distribution is different. A lot to do with EU reasons.

2018 sales in UK:
1. Ford 287,396 -11.6%
2. VW 208,462 -2.6%
3 Vauxhall 195,137 -9.1%
4. Mercedes-Benz 180,970 -4.8%
5. BMW 175,101 -1.7%
6. Audi 174,982 -17.9%
7. Nissan 151,156 -32.1%
8. Toyota 101,985 -0.1%
9. Kia 93,222 2.7%
10. Hyundai 93,403 -3.7%
11. Peugeot 82,226 -1.4%
12. Land Rover 82,653 -5.7%
13. Skoda 79,758 -6.3%
14. Mini 68,166 -1.7%
15. SEAT 56,130 12.0%
17. Honda 53,901 -2.5%
20. Mazda 39,092 +1.3%
34. Subaru 2,679 +17.2%
https://www.marklines.com/en/statist...lesfig_uk_2018

[VXDave]

Originally Posted by V8 Fireworks

Subaru poor sales are mainly because they have a 10% tariff on all their products since they are all imported from Japan [EU places a 10% tariff on all imported cars]. Likewise Mazda. Therefore a noncompetitive price, therefore poor sales.

While Toyota, Nissan and Honda have factories inside the EU for now, their UK factories are not going to be considered to be in the EU zone for much longer, which could be problematic!

PS. With respect to Subaru the CVT autos are unfortunate but the manual transmissions are fine... with regards to mainly offering petrols, diesel is certainly not the answer and is obviously being phased out in the EU (not to mention Subaru's diesels are fairly mediocre).

As an example, the Australian market is very different and Subaru and Mazda sales -- without the hindrance of an import tariff -- are quite competitive:

2017 sales in Australia:
1. Toyota — 216,566 (+3.3%)
2. Mazda — 116,349 (-1.6%)
3. Hyundai — 97,013 (-4.5%)
4. Holden — 90,306 (-4.2%)
5. Mitsubishi — 80,654 (+9.9%)
6. Ford — 78,161 (-3.8%)
7. Volkswagen — 58,004 (+2.5%)
8. Nissan — 56,594 (-15.3%)
9. Kia — 54,737 (+28.3%)
10. Subaru — 52,511 (+11.7%)
11. Honda — 46,783 (+14.6%)
12. Mercedes-Benz Cars — 37,068 (+3.1%)
13. Isuzu Ute — 25,804 (+10.4%)
14. BMW — 23,619 (-15.7%)
15. Audi — 22,011 (-9.3%)
18. Renault — 10,812 (-2.7%)
22. Skoda — 5350 (+12.4%)
25. Mini — 3712 (-1.4%)
26. Peugeot — 3392 (+8.4%)
https://www.carsales.com.au/editoria...losers-110434/

Subaru's products were good enough to attract +11.7% more buyers.

As you can see the UK's distribution is different. A lot to do with EU reasons.

2018 sales in UK:
1. Ford 287,396 -11.6%
2. VW 208,462 -2.6%
3 Vauxhall 195,137 -9.1%
4. Mercedes-Benz 180,970 -4.8%
5. BMW 175,101 -1.7%
6. Audi 174,982 -17.9%
7. Nissan 151,156 -32.1%
8. Toyota 101,985 -0.1%
9. Kia 93,222 2.7%
10. Hyundai 93,403 -3.7%
11. Peugeot 82,226 -1.4%
12. Land Rover 82,653 -5.7%
13. Skoda 79,758 -6.3%
14. Mini 68,166 -1.7%
15. SEAT 56,130 12.0%
17. Honda 53,901 -2.5%
20. Mazda 39,092 +1.3%
34. Subaru 2,679 +17.2%
https://www.marklines.com/en/statist...lesfig_uk_2018

Is there a website where you can look up number of UK car sales per model e.g. how many Mondeos were sold in 2018? I think SMMT only shows the top 10 sellers by model...

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by VXDave

Is there a website where you can look up number of UK car sales per model e.g. how many Mondeos were sold in 2018? I think SMMT only shows the top 10 sellers by model...

SMMT do release these figures but unless things have changed not to Joe Public.

Howmanyleft is a good stab as it is using DVLA tax/ SORN data. For the Levorg 17 in 2018 was the pathetic total, and sub 500 all time is the slightly more respectable figure. It's the wrong product for the UK market. Very few peoples wishlist for a new car is a 4WD petrol estate. And for those who want such a thing there are far better options (BMW for starters) in terms of finances, material quality etc. Granted Subarus are durable but so is a 15 grand Dacia Duster 4x4. You'd have 2 of those for the cost of 1 Levorg...

[andrewc]

Subaru vs Toyota

Subaru have managed to flog circa 750 BRZ's in the same period Toyota have managed to shift 6500 GT86's. The co-developed cars share a lot in common, and the Subaru version is slightly cheaper.

[swooshiain]

Originally Posted by andrewc

Subaru vs Toyota

Subaru have managed to flog circa 750 BRZ's in the same period Toyota have managed to shift 6500 GT86's. The co-developed cars share a lot in common, and the Subaru version is slightly cheaper.

Was that not down to an agreement between the two companies about how many each could sell in different markets?

[sceptic]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

SMMT do release these figures but unless things have changed not to Joe Public.

Howmanyleft is a good stab as it is using DVLA tax/ SORN data. For the Levorg 17 in 2018 was the pathetic total, and sub 500 all time is the slightly more respectable figure. It's the wrong product for the UK market. Very few peoples wishlist for a new car is a 4WD petrol estate. And for those who want such a thing there are far better options (BMW for starters) in terms of finances, material quality etc. Granted Subarus are durable but so is a 15 grand Dacia Duster 4x4. You'd have 2 of those for the cost of 1 Levorg...

And remember that 5 of those 500 went to a barn in Hertfordshire...

[Moneyseeker]

Originally Posted by andrewc

Subaru vs Toyota



Subaru have managed to flog circa 750 BRZ's in the same period Toyota have managed to shift 6500 GT86's. The co-developed cars share a lot in common, and the Subaru version is slightly cheaper.

Toyota has much bigger network. Two dealer groups in our area have tried Subaru franchise and both dropped them pretty quickly. You need a low emission range nowadays.

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