ASSESSOR SUMMER 2025 FULL MAGAZINE - Flipbook - Page 19
THE FIGHT BACK
Ampere, part of Renault Group,
launched the AmpR Small platform
which is now used for Renault 5 and
Renault 4 E-Tech Electric. Dedicated
to BEV, it sought to have a clean sheet
approach to whole life cycle costing.
WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS
OF A BUDGET BEV?
CHINA STRENGTHS AND
WEAKNESSES
A smaller vehicle does not mean a
smaller budget to create it given
organisations such as Euro NCAP
demand a level of functionality which
gives no ‘escape’. Making a decent
pro昀椀t is harder, since consumers have
been brought up with the idea smaller
means less expensive.
The China automotive sector is an
overnight success which was 40 years
in the making. Through multiple
collaborations the sector has learnt a
lot about 昀椀t / 昀椀nish, while both central
as well a region government are
prepared to subsidise exports too.
As we can see, the front and rear
chassis leg sections are possible, as
well as major repairs such as the B
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functionality to those same parts.
This is very hard to do, and many
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“of this evolution” platform, with fewer
parts…. So what could happen to
repairability? In other words, the build
and assembly costs are taken care of,
the vehicle is sold to customers who
just might 昀椀nd it’s rather complicated
to repair due to the simpli昀椀ed build
process.
Assuming the build and repair equation
can be balanced, what is to stop other
manufacturers simply copying it? Very
little.
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Yet the assembly cost is where the
biggest change could happen, via the
fewer parts increased functionality and
assembly line automation – much as
framing bodyshells was revolutionised
years ago. The problem is as fast as
the European manufacturers innovate,
the well-known competition seem
to get hold of the same ideas and
make them via a slightly lower cost
base, maintaining their commercial
advantage.
The weakness is around launching
too many brands with too many
overlapping products leading to mass
confusion, and in the short term,
negative effects on residuals. A further
weakness demonstrated multiple times
in the Middle East as well as across
Africa, is product support. Compare
the approach of SAIC (MG Motor /
Maxus) to other brands – they have
much to learn from SAIC as well as
Geely (Polestar / Volvo Car).
The major issue is to prevent the single
use vehicle.
It matters little if this is driven by
Europe or China, it is in nobody’s
interests to end up in this situation.
Vehicle valuation – BEV depreciation
is not fully understood yet – needs
recalibration to ensure there is enough
retained value for repair. ADAS / SAE
autonomy Level 3 and above will not
eliminate collision repair for some time
to come.
The process to single use vehicles is
speeding up.
Massive changes vehicle manufacturers
have undertaken may not be re昀氀ected
in the world of vehicle valuations.
Unchecked, this could cause immense
damage to insurers, assessors and the
collision repair business.
JOURNAL
Could this be a downwards spiral?
01234454667653483444894 8
| SUMMER 2025 | THE ASSESSORS JOURNAL
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