Uncertaintythis is the term that best characterizes the automotive world. It is in particular in the face of this trial and error that some manufacturers have chosen to backtrack on their choice of engine. But it is also the reality of the market that allows certain thermal engines to make a comeback.
Three examples illustrate this phenomenon well. Paris Motor Show in October 2022, Jeep presents its Avenger, an SUV only electric for the French market. It will also be crowned Car of the Year in 2023, making it the second electric model to receive this title.
In July 2023, the Avenger receives the 100 hp three-cylinder gasoline engine. It is not a return strictly speaking but rather a turnaround situation. A technically easy reception to implement since it shares its platform with the Peugeot 2008 in particular. Above all, this allows it to drastically lower its price from €39,000 for the electric to €27,000 for this fossil version. While it was not in the top 100 best-selling models in France in the first half of 2023, he climbs to 64e marche over the period from January to May 2024.
If Jeep reacted quickly enough to allow its SUV to sell, Citroën, like Opel and Peugeot, simply deleted the existing thermal offer on its Berlingo (but also SpaceTourer) in January 2022. An incomprehensible choice for a family vehicle, which is heavy and frankly not aerodynamic. At the time, the brand justified “ a strong decision to accelerate electrification for the benefit of customers and the environment ” As a result, customers have completely abandoned the Berlingo, which has become exclusively electric.
It took more than two years before the brand reversed course. It was on the occasion of its restyling that the Berlingo welcomes thermal engines again, there are two of them and they only drink diesel. It is also surprising that no gasoline offer is offered.
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The latest example comes from the same group, in this case Fiat. small electric 500 sells less than expected since last year, even leading the brand to close the Mirafiori factory for several months. However, the thermal 500, known as Ibrida, is not expected until 2026.
Extended models and money on the table
If the yo-yo of engines is a sign that manufacturers don’t know which foot to dance on, the extension of the career of certain models running on fossil fuel is another. This is particularly the case in the Volkswagen group with the VW Polo, Seat Ibiza and Skoda Fabia. They will play the extensions thanks to new restylings and will be marketed alongside electric models new like the Volkswagen ID.2. For the group, this makes it possible to offer a cheaper offer, which still meets strong demand, without having to develop new products.
If model development is not on the agenda, the group will spend 180 billion euros on new powertrains, including 60 billion just in thermal supply, a proportion to say the least important. For its part, Horse, the thermal division of Renault and Geely, is little talked about, but it plans to produce around five million engines per year.
