A-segment

Last updated
2024 best-selling
Fiat-500-vorne2.jpg
Fiat 500e (2020–present)
2012 Fiat Panda Easy 1.2 Front.jpg
Fiat Panda 3rd generation (2011–present)
2018 Toyota Aygo x-play VVT-i CVT 1.0 Front.jpg
Toyota Aygo 2nd generation (2014–2021)
VW high up! 1.0 BlueMotion Technology (Facelift) - Frontansicht, 21. April 2017, Dusseldorf.jpg
Volkswagen Up! 1st generation (2011–2023)
2018 Kia Picanto 3 Automatic 1.2 Front.jpg
Kia Picanto 3rd generation (2017–present)

The A-segment is the first category in the passenger car classification system defined by the European Commission. It is used for city cars, the smallest category of passenger cars defined. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

A-segment sales represented approximately 7–8% of the market in the 2010s. [4] [5] [6] It is approximately equivalent to the kei car class in Japan.

Definition

As of 2021, the A-segment category size spans from approximately 2.7 metres (110 in) [7] to 3.7 metres (150 in). [8]

Characteristics

Body styles for A-segment cars in Europe are always hatchbacks. But as crossovers gain popularity, new models may shift to resemble crossovers. Examples of crossover city cars include Suzuki Ignis and Toyota Aygo X. Other body styles such as sedans are not present in this segment because these shapes largely prove impractical at typical A-segment dimensions.

Current models

In 2020 the ten highest selling A-segment cars in Europe were Fiat Panda, Fiat 500, Toyota Aygo, Renault Twingo, Volkswagen Up!, Hyundai i10, Kia Picanto, Peugeot 108, Citroën C1 and Suzuki Ignis. [6]

100,000 - 200,000 sales(Best-Selling)

50,000 - 100,000 sales

10,000 - 50,000 sales

Sales figures in Europe

2022

rank

BrandModel2013201420152016201720182019202020212022% change

(2021–2022)

1 Fiat Panda 152,727152,045171,377190,432187,049168,094184,027145,907131,723125,463Decrease2.svg -5%
2 Hyundai i10 60,32480,81986,00485,38590,60383,10278,79150,23356,07454,137Decrease2.svg -3.45%
3 Kia Picanto 50,52451,22254,03654,98262,16174,52674,30549,21159,94951,962Decrease2.svg -13.32%
4 Dacia Spring -------1,72425,74048,431 [9] Increase2.svg +88.15
5 Renault Twingo 78,43281,57495,80884,76677,32686,22187,38373,34558,16142,526Decrease2.svg -27%
6 Volkswagen Up! 130,039124,845105,34896,836100,71597,36680,04859,57869,40039,147Decrease2.svg -43.59%
7 Mitsubishi Mirage/Space Star 13,97822,00829,54727,38630,01636,10538,00235,70332,66227,964Decrease2.svg -14.38%
8 Suzuki Ignis ---1,60241,16643,77438,09137,56842,20620,826Decrease2.svg -50.66%
9 Smart Fortwo 65,22652,05957,05669,16965,80062,36177,76619,57626,86917,560Decrease2.svg -34.65%
10 Toyota Aygo 57,00268,87486,08584,32184,58892,18799,51082,71182,8209,646Decrease2.svg -88.35%
11 Peugeot 108 -31,08768,52263,56155,83157,25754,23043,62934,6893,875Decrease2.svg -88.83%
12 Smart Forfour 3,75739,54337,13334,25334,97536,7367,6408,8233,633Decrease2.svg -58.82%
13 Citroën C1 56,72253,51863,69562,53753,29252,02049,90040,57835,8973,559Decrease2.svg -90.09%
14 Škoda Citigo 44,85140,61638,73538,66435,69836,45030,78614,1205,26453Decrease2.svg -98.99%
15 SEAT Mii 28,60824,86524,29819,88215,41213,03112,6417,7909,42851Decrease2.svg -99.46%
Fiat 500 (2007) 158,918180,403180,005183,194189,360188,448175,017141,313175,950-
Renault Kwid -------65439-
Suzuki Celerio -89425,39326,46523,41720,83613,2752,03516-
Citroën C-Zero --1,0751,7801,1051,2479801,83914-
Peugeot iOn --1,4611,8811,5441,6518653334-
Citroën E-Mehari ---56935332115478-
Mitsubishi i-MiEV --71448444732517157-
Opel/Vauxhall Adam 45,75654,20755,27852,93848,18141,81731,1295-
Mitsubishi Attrage --35216811462881-
Opel/Vauxhall Karl/Viva --28,60757,45849,51648,29247,5040-
DR Automobiles Zero ---261174--0-
Lancia/Chrysler Ypsilon 57,61362,80759,50166,941-----
Ford Ka 50,01252,85448,36821,33320416---
Peugeot 107 55,24424,35688512---
Chevrolet Spark 37,26810,1384799623---
Suzuki Alto26,82126,8765,71042----
Suzuki Splash 15,56313,2322,66311-----
Opel/Vauxhall Agila 14,02012,2002,054191----
Toyota iQ 5,4623,59329217223---
Tata Indica 345523-----
Nissan Pixo 3,321131-------
DR Automobiles DR1 21--------
Daihatsu Cuore/Charade 5--------
Volkswagen Fox 1--------
Abarth 500 ----18,49920,57019,157--
Segment total1,208,4311,229,3521,332,1461,330,4381,266,8321,261,0621,230,556814,974856,129448,833Decrease2.svg -47.57%
Source [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19]

Market share in Europe

Year20172018201920202021 [18]
Share8.1%8%7.7%6.8%7.3%

2019 - In 2019, sales of minicars were down 2% compared to a total market gain of 1% which means this segment now makes up 7.7% of the total European car market at 1.21 million sales, down from 8% in 2018. And with margins on minicars under pressure due to increased costs to comply with stricter safety and emissions standards, manufacturers are scaling back investments in to minicars or switching to an EV-only strategy. [5]

In Italy, A-segment cars represented 16.4% of car sales in the first half of 2019. [20]

2020 - European sales of minicars were down by a third in 2020, which translates to nearly 400,000 fewer sales and means the segment loses market share as the overall market is down 24%. As a result, this segment now makes up 6.8% of the total European car market, down from 7.7% last year. And their share is expected to shrink further in coming years, as manufacturers are pulling out of this segment or switching their models to EV-only. This is a result of increasing costs to comply with stricter safety and especially emissions standards, which makes minicars nearly unprofitable, especially considering that for most models from European brands this is the only market. [6]

Market share in other countries

In the United States, minicar segment cars represented 0.5% of the market share.

In 2020 the highest selling minicar segment cars in the U.S. were the Chevrolet Spark, Mitsubishi Mirage and Mini Cooper. [21]

In India, historically the A-segment cars had the highest sales. Sales have been in decline in recent years, [22] falling from 70,000 sales per month in 2014 to 47,000 sales per month in 2016. [23]

As of 2019, several A-segment cars had successes outside Europe, such as Hyundai Grand i10, Honda Brio, Kia Picanto, Tata Tiago, Toyota Wigo, Suzuki Celerio, Suzuki Wagon R, Suzuki/Maruti Alto, Ford Figo, Smart ForTwo, Citroën C1, Peugeot 108, and modern Fiat 500.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minivan</span> Type of van designed for private use

Minivan is a car classification for vehicles designed to transport passengers in the rear seating row(s), with reconfigurable seats in two or three rows. The equivalent classification in Europe is MPV or M-segment - and are taller than a sedan car, hatchback, SUV or station wagon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crossover (automobile)</span> Style of motor vehicle

A crossover, crossover SUV, or crossover utility vehicle (CUV) is a type of automobile with an increased ride height that is built on unibody chassis construction shared with passenger cars, as opposed to traditional sport utility vehicles (SUV), which are built on a body-on-frame chassis construction similar to pickup trucks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyundai Atos</span> City car manufactured by Hyundai

The Hyundai Atos is a city car that was produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai from 1997 until 2014. It was also marketed under the Atoz, Amica and Santro model names. From 1999, the Atos with a different rear fascia and restyled rear side doors is marketed as the Atos Prime and in South Korea and Indonesia as the Kia Visto. It has been available only with a five-door hatchback body style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyundai Getz</span> Motor vehicle

The Hyundai Getz is a supermini manufactured and marketed by Hyundai from 2002 to 2011 in three- and five-door hatchback body styles over a single generation — and marketed globally except in the United States, Canada and China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geneva International Motor Show</span> Annual Swiss auto show

The Geneva International Motor Show was an annual auto show held in March in the Swiss city of Geneva.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Czech Republic s.r.o., also known by its initials TMMCZ, is a Czech automobile manufacturer headquartered in Kolín, Czech Republic. It was originally established in 2002 by the Toyota Motor Corporation and the PSA Group as a 50:50 joint venture known as Toyota Peugeot Citroën Automobile Czech s.r.o. (TPCA) until 2021. On 1 January 2021, two years after announcement of the end of the joint venture in Europe, Toyota acquired the remaining 50% of PSA's interest in TPCA and adopted its present name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kia Picanto</span> City car

The Kia Picanto is a city car that has been produced by the South Korean car manufacturer, Kia, since 2003. Other names of the car include Kia Morning in South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Chile, Kia EuroStar in Taiwan, Kia New Morning in Vietnam and the Naza Suria or Naza Picanto in Malaysia. The Picanto is primarily manufactured at the Donghee joint-venture plant in Seosan, South Korea, though some countries locally assemble complete knock-down versions of the car.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mini MPV</span> Subcompact minivan

Mini MPV—an abbreviation for mini multi-purpose vehicle—is a vehicle size class for the smallest size of minivans/MPVs. The mini MPV size class sits below the compact MPV size class and the vehicles are often built on the platforms of B-segment hatchback models. By the European definition, the mini MPV commonly consists of cars with two rows of seats, while in Asia mini MPVs with three rows are common. Sliding doors are sometimes also fitted to mini MPVs. Mini MPVs are also called tall-hatchbacks or small MPVs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kia Ceed</span> Motor vehicle

The Kia Ceed is a compact car produced by the South Korean manufacturer Kia since 2006 exclusively for the European market.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C-segment</span> European car size classification

The C-segment is the 3rd category of the European segments for passenger cars and is described as "medium cars". It is equivalent to the Euro NCAP "small family car" size class, and the compact car category in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">E-segment</span> Car size classification in Europe

The E-segment is the 5th category of the European segments for passenger cars, synonymous with the term executive car.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D-segment</span> Car size classification in Europe

The D-segment is the 4th category of the European segments for passenger cars, and is described as "large cars".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyundai i10</span> City car manufactured by Hyundai

The Hyundai i10 is a city car produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai since 2007. It replaced the Hyundai Atos in the model line-up, and was initially available only as a five-door hatchback body style. The third generation i10 was unveiled in India on 7 August 2019 and launched on 20 August 2019, offered in 10 variants across petrol and diesel engines as well as manual and automatic transmissions. There is also a sedan derivative, the Hyundai Xcent and the Hyundai Aura.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">F-segment</span> Car size classification in Europe

The F-segment is the 6th category and largest of the European segments for passenger cars, and always belongs to "luxury cars".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peugeot 108</span> Motor vehicle

The Peugeot 108 is a city car launched by French manufacturer Peugeot in March 2014 at the Geneva Motor Show. The 108 is related to the Citroën C1 and Toyota Aygo, and shares their floorpan, engines, transmission and electrics. Sales commenced in June 2014 in Mainland Europe and in July 2014 in the United Kingdom.

Hyundai and Kia utilized several iterations of platforms for their small automobile line-up since 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzuki Baleno (2015)</span> Subcompact car

The Suzuki Baleno is a subcompact car produced by the Japanese manufacturer Suzuki in India since September 2015 with a hatchback body style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automotive industry in Vietnam</span>

The automotive industry in Vietnam is a fast-growing sector mainly reliant on domestic sales. All currently produced models are designed abroad by foreign brands, and many rely on knock-down kit production. Due to high import taxes on automobiles, the Vietnamese government protects domestic manufacturing. Although Vietnam is a member of the ASEAN Free Trade Area, automobile imports fall under an exception. Since January 1, 2018, the 30% import tax has been discontinued as part of ASEAN agreements. Currently, the Vietnamese motor industry is not deemed competitive enough to make exports feasible. As of April 2018, 85% of car sales in Vietnam were produced domestically from knock-down kits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Subcompact crossover SUV</span> Smallest sport utility vehicle vehicle class

Subcompact crossover SUV is an automobile segment used to describe the smallest segment of crossover SUV, a type of sport utility vehicle, below the compact crossover SUV. Subcompact crossover SUVs are usually based on a platform of a subcompact passenger car, although some high-end subcompact crossover models are based on a compact car (C-segment). The segment started to gain traction during early to mid-2010s when the number of models and sales figures rapidly increased in major markets such as North America and Europe. In 2019, around 22 percent of SUV global sales were contributed by subcompact crossovers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kia Seltos</span> Korean subcompact crossover SUV

The Kia Seltos is a subcompact crossover SUV manufactured by Kia. Introduced in mid-2019, the Seltos is positioned between the smaller Stonic, Soul, or Sonet and the larger Sportage in Kia's global SUV lineup.

References

  1. "European classification for vehicle category, based in UNECE standards". European Alternative Fuels Observatory. Archived from the original on 12 December 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  2. Patton, Phil (28 March 2005). "AUTOS ON MONDAY/Design; Little Cars in the Big Apple: Still Only a Good Idea". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 March 2010. In Europe, the "city car" is a well-understood concept
  3. Ruppert, James. "Motoring: The City car to be seen in". The Independent. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2010. (City cars) are meant to be cheap, small, easy to park and yet practical, with good manners on the open road
  4. "European sales 2018 Minicars". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  5. 1 2 "European sales 2019 Minicars". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 "European sales 2020 Minicars". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  7. "Smart fortwo 2015 dimensions". automobiledimension. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  8. "Toyota Aygo X dimensions, boot space and similars". www.automobiledimension.com. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  9. "Dacia Spring Sales Figures". www.goodcarbadcar.net. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  10. "European sales 2013 Minicar segment". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  11. "European sales 2014 Minicar segment". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  12. "European sales 2015 Minicar segment". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  13. "European sales 2016 Minicar segment". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  14. "European sales 2017 Minicar segment". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  15. "European sales 2018 Minicar segment". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  16. "European sales 2019 Minicars". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  17. "European sales 2020 Minicars". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  18. 1 2 "2021 Best Selling Subcompact Cars In Europe (All Models Ranked)". www.goodcarbadcar.net. 26 April 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  19. "2022 European Vehicle Sales Rankings – Every Vehicle Ranked By Sales Volume". www.goodcarbadcar.net. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
  20. "Car market share in Italy from January to June 2019, by segment". www.statista.com. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  21. "US car sales analysis 2020 – Minicars". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  22. "India: A-segment cars biggest market share loser, compact SUVs leading gainer". www.ihsmarkit.com. 14 June 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  23. "Segment shift: Indian car buyers now prefer premium". www.carwale.com. 14 April 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
Euro Car Segment [1] Euro NCAP Class US EPA
Size Class [2]
Other common
segment terms
Examples
Quadricycle Microcar
Bubble car
Bond Bug, Smart ForTwo, Isetta,
Mega City, Renault Twizy
A-segment mini cars Supermini MinicompactCity car
Kei car (JP)
Chevrolet Spark, Fiat 500, Kia Picanto,
Suzuki Alto, Renault Twingo
B-segment small cars Subcompact Ford Fiesta, Kia Rio, Opel Corsa,
Peugeot 208, Volkswagen Polo
C-segment medium cars Small family car Compact Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus,
Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Golf
Subcompact executive Acura ILX, Audi A3, BMW 1 Series,
Lexus CT, Mercedes-Benz A-Class
D-segment large cars Large family car Mid-size Ford Mondeo, Toyota Camry, Peugeot 508,
Mazda6, Volkswagen Passat
Compact executive (U.K.)
Entry-level luxury (U.S.)
Alfa Romeo Giulia, Audi A4, BMW 3 Series,
Lexus IS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class
E-segment executive cars Executive Large Full-size car (U.S.) Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler 300, Ford Taurus,
Holden Caprice, Toyota Avalon
Mid-size luxury (U.S.) Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Cadillac CT5,
Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Tesla Model S
F-segment luxury cars Full-size luxury (U.S.)
Luxury saloon (U.K.)
Genesis G90, BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ,
Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Porsche Panamera
S-segment sports coupés Supercar Bugatti Chiron, LaFerrari, Lamborghini Aventador,
Pagani Huayra, Porsche 918 Spyder
Convertible Chevrolet Camaro, Mercedes-Benz CLK,
Volvo C70, Volkswagen Eos, Opel Cascada
Roadster sports Two-seater Roadster
Sports car
BMW Z4, Lotus Elise, Mazda MX-5,
Porsche Boxster, Mercedes-Benz SLK
M-segment multi purpose cars Small MPV Minivan Mini MPV Citroën C3 Picasso, Kia Venga, Ford B-Max,
Opel Meriva, Fiat 500L
Compact MPV Chevrolet Orlando, Ford C-Max, Suzuki Ertiga,
Renault Scénic, Volkswagen Touran
Large MPV People mover (AU) Chrysler Pacifica (RU), Kia Carnival, Renault Espace,
Toyota Sienna, Citroën C4 Grand Picasso
J-segment sport utility cars Small off-road 4x4 Small SUV Mini 4x4 (U.K.)
Mini SUV (U.S.)
Daihatsu Terios, Ford EcoSport, Jeep Renegade,
Peugeot 2008, Suzuki Jimny
Compact 4x4 (U.K.)
Compact SUV
Tesla Model Y, Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape,
Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage
Large off-road 4x4 Standard SUV Large 4x4 (U.K., AU)
Mid-size SUV (U.S.)
Ford Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe, Jeep Grand Cherokee,
Volkswagen Touareg, Volvo XC90
Full-size SUV (U.S.)
Large 4x4 (U.K.)
Upper Large SUV (AU)
Lincoln Navigator, Range Rover, Chevrolet Suburban,
Toyota Land Cruiser, Mercedes-Benz GLS
  1. "Case No COMP/M.1406 - Hyundai / Kia: Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 Merger Procedure: Article 6(1)(b) Non-opposition" (PDF). Office for Official Publications of the European Communities. 17 March 1999. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  2. 40 CFR 600.315-08