Sales of large MPVs in Europe make a surprise recovery in the first quarter at +8%, but that’s a result of a reshuffle in our segmentation. With the all-new MQB-based Multivan, Volkswagen has redeveloped its upscale passenger van to compete better with MPVs, so that’s where we moved it together with its eternal rival Mercedes-Benz V-Class.
And these two models immediately take firm control of the class, grabbing 71.9% of sales in the segment and they’re the only relevant players to improve their sales on last year. The traditional MPVs are still down 45% and now hold just 23.9% of the class. The Multivan more than doubles its sales and grabs the lead ahead of the V-Class which is up 13%. That leaves the Ford S-Max just in third place, losing almost half of its sales. Its sister model Galaxy is down by just over a third at #4. The Seat Alhambra and Volkswagen Sharan also lose half of their sales and are basically replaced by the Multivan. The Renault Espace is no longer relevant and the Chrysler Pacifica is not even officially sold in Europe. The latter two, and the Sharan are even outsold by the V-Class’ electric version Mercedes-Benz EQV at #6. The EQV’s monopoly as the only electric large MPV will end soon when deliveries of the all-new but retro styled Volkswagen ID Buzz start. That will end the Sharan for good.
| Large MPV segment | 2022-Q1 | 2021-Q1 | Change | 2022 share | 2021 share | |
| 1 | Volkswagen Multivan | 7.448 | 3.261 | 128% | 38,8% | 18,4% |
| 2 | Mercedes-Benz V-Class | 6.333 | 5.612 | 13% | 33,0% | 31,6% |
| 3 | Ford S-Max | 1.489 | 2.734 | -46% | 7,8% | 15,4% |
| 4 | Ford Galaxy | 1.035 | 1.558 | -34% | 5,4% | 8,8% |
| 5 | Seat Alhambra | 1.012 | 1.816 | -44% | 5,3% | 10,2% |
| 6 | Mercedes-Benz EQV | 809 | 450 | 80% | 4,2% | 2,5% |
| 7 | Volkswagen Sharan | 677 | 1.570 | -57% | 3,5% | 8,9% |
| 8 | Renault Espace | 354 | 713 | -50% | 1,8% | 4,0% |
| 9 | Chrysler Pacifica | 21 | 20 | 5% | 0,1% | 0,1% |
| Segment total | 19.178 | 17.734 | 8% |
Car sales statistics are from the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Sources: Manufacturers, ANDC, JATO Dynamics.