Sales in the Premium Compact SUV segment in the US rose a very dynamic 39.2% in the first quarter of 2017, after already gaining 24.2% in 2016. Total sales in Q1 were 30,286 as only one model in the segment lost sales: the Mercedes-Benz GLA. With the new generation Mini Countryman in showrooms now, and the arrival of the Volvo XC40 by the end of the year (or perhaps early next year), the segment is bound to continue on this path of growth.
Highlights for Q1 2017
The new generations BMW X1 helps the nameplate hold on to the segment lead it already took for the full year 2016, after the model alreayd almost doubled its volume last year.- The Mercedes-Benz GLA was the segment leader in the first quarter of last year, but is now relegated into third place by the model that is developed on the same platform, using the same engines and even shares some interior components: the Infiniti QX30. The newcomer comes out of nowhere and lands in the segment #2 spot, not even that far behind the leader. In fact, the QX30 was still in startup mode in January, but outsold the X1 in February as well as March when it started to gain traction, so it has a real shot at leading this segment by the next quarter. By all means its 2nd place is already an impressive performance, especially considering no Infiniti model has ever been this high up in any segment, but also considering it outsells its platform rival from a much more established brand by a large margin.
- In fourth place we find the steadily improving Audi Q3 with sales up 20.8%, even though that means it loses share of the segment as its growth rate is half that of the entire segment combined.
The fastest growing model in the segment is the Range Rover Evoque, helped by its facelift in 2016, as it is closing in on the Q3.- The Mini Countryman has just been replaced by the new generation, which started deliveries in March, so its Q1 result is not representative for its potential. Expect the Countryman to at least double its 2016 volume of 12.706 sales, which would make this year the nameplate’s best ever, and deservedly so, as the new generation has grown in size to better suit the needs of buyers in this segment.
Note: Clicking on the model name opens the sales data page for that model; clicking year in the legend turns the display for that year on/off