[WRC] News & rumours (part III)

[Barreis]

http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/april...4--12-12-.html

[Eli]

http://www.rallyemotion.it/9119_wrc-...de-portogallo/

[Barreis]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/113622

[litifeta]

. Only 3 rallies are outside Europe where Australis is one of them ... but it has no relevance to PSA.

Not sure where you are getting your information from, but it's wrong. PSA are going hard trying to keep Renault from taking over the lead as the best selling French car in Australia. On the back of marketing from Mark Webber, Renault increased its market share by 37%, and is the second biggest Renault market in the world.

PSA recognise their fleet has been 'on the nose' with Australians for years and are ramping up marketing to achieve a 25% growth.

Asia Pacific is a difficult region to do business in. The roads and weather are harsh. And the Asian car makers rule the roost.

[MikeD]

Not sure where you are getting your information from, but it's wrong.

No it isn't (It's my job and I have access to a lot more info about this than you do). You are just looking at the numbers the wrong way. Look at volume instead of percentages. Citroën sold app. 1600-1800 cars in Australia last year, and yes it's correct that it's a sales-increase in percentages, but what Citroën in targeting in yearly sales in China is 250.000 - 300.000. That should give you an indication how unimportant Australia are in terms of overall sales.

So it's good for Citroën that they have increased sales in Australia, but in terms of revenue it's not an important market compared with the market where Citroën have their future focus .... and in the end why they decided to focus on WTCC instead of WRC.

[litifeta]

The company I work distributes PSA throughout Asia. I can promise you we look at our markets strategically, not individually or by brand. Sales in China and sales in Australia are both important to us. Australia serves as the base for the development of our processes, methods, and systems. Each country has something to offer. You might also like to check the location of PSA factories around the world, and see what PSA has from India through to Japan.

You may also be surprised to know that Australia gets lots of events, not because it is a great host, but because the wealthy Asian middle classes prefer to have the excuse to travel to Australia, rather than watch something on their own soil.

The Asia Pacific is nothing like Europe. Nothinng is what is seems on face value, and there are lots of mysterious relationships.

[AndyRAC]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/113642


Ah, disaster averted....... for now.

I'm not totally sure if each side really knows what it wants - and if it is deliverable. With the formation of a FiA RallyX series, the WRC should be trying to make itself different from that sport. So longer, tougher events.

[Eli]

http://www.rally.it/rallye-di-monte-carlo-fino-al-2020/

[KiwiWRCfan]

Rally Australia have announced details of the Hyundai Super Special Stage. It will be located adjacent to the Service Park. It will be the 3rd service park and 3rd special stage location in 3 editions of Rally Australia in Coffs Harbour.
It appears spectators will have much better viewing options than the 2011 "jetty" Super Special Stage when cars were out of sight more than they were in sight. The course looks like it will be much better challenge for drivers than 2013 "Brelsford Park Velodrome" Super special. The new SSS will include several jumps.
In a change from 2011 and 2013 when the rally opened with 2 x SSS's on Thursday night. Organisers are only talking about SSS being used Friday & Saturday night. It would seem 2014 Rally Oz will open with proper special stages on the Friday morning rather than SSS's as in previous years.

http://www.rallyaustralia.com.au/hyu...lenge-drivers/

[dimviii]

No Novikov at Finland
http://www.rallye-magazin.de/rallyes...and/index.html