In the first quarter of 2022, European sales of minicars decline by 28%, more than double the drop of the overall market which is down 13%. The class now makes up 6.1% of the total European car market, down from 7.4% in the same period last year. This is a result of brands pulling out of the segment due to lack of profitability. Some are switching to EVs while other brands increase the size of their products to make them fall into subcompact class where the margins are better.
Traditional minicar leader Fiat consolidates its leadership of the class, adding five percentage points on last year, to 43.8% thanks to its 3 nameplates (we now offer split figures of the two different versions of the 500). The Fiat Panda outperforms the class with sales down 17%, while sibling Fiat 500 hybrid is down 41% but still firmly in second place. Last year’s podium finisher Toyota Aygo is down 68% and drops out of the segment top-10 as it’s getting ready for a new generation. That will be called the Aygo X and will have crossover features, another way to potentially find profitability in the minicar class. As a result, the Kia Picanto jumps onto the podium, despite a 4% decline in deliveries. The Fiat 500e, the new all-electric version of the 500, is not far behind in 4th place. The Hyundai i10 also outperforms the class at -11% and beats the former podium finisher Volkswagen Up! which is down 39%. Deliveries of the Renault Twingo are almost cut in half and it is under threat from its low-cost family member Dacia Spring. The Mitsubishi Space Star sees a 48% jump in deliveries, but that’s also because it was struggling last year when the brand announced its now reversed decision to pull out of the European market. The Suzuki Ignis completes the top-10 and from there it’s really only the Smart Fortwo left, as its sibling Forfour as well as the former PSA models Citroën C1 and Peugeot 108 and the VW Up!’s clones Seat Mii and Skoda Citigo have been killed.
| Minicar segment | 2022-Q1 | 2021-Q1 | Change | 2022 share | 2021 share | |
| 1 | Fiat Panda | 35.041 | 42.165 | -17% | 21,6% | 18,8% |
| 2 | Fiat 500 hybrid | 22.339 | 37.823 | -41% | 13,8% | 16,8% |
| 3 | Kia Picanto | 14.510 | 15.057 | -4% | 8,9% | 6,7% |
| 4 | Fiat 500e | 13.655 | 7.240 | 89% | 8,4% | 3,2% |
| 5 | Hyundai i10 | 11.581 | 13.062 | -11% | 7,1% | 5,8% |
| 6 | Volkswagen Up! | 10.279 | 16.822 | -39% | 6,3% | 7,5% |
| 7 | Renault Twingo | 9.572 | 17.953 | -47% | 5,9% | 8,0% |
| 8 | Dacia Spring | 8.869 | 369 | 2304% | 5,5% | 0,2% |
| 9 | Mitsubishi Space Star | 8.660 | 5.845 | 48% | 5,3% | 2,6% |
| 10 | Suzuki Ignis | 8.027 | 11.307 | -29% | 4,9% | 5,0% |
| 11 | Toyota Aygo | 6.775 | 21.131 | -68% | 4,2% | 9,4% |
| 12 | Smart Fortwo | 4.425 | 7.247 | -39% | 2,7% | 3,2% |
| 13 | Peugeot 108 | 3.108 | 10.760 | -71% | 1,9% | 4,8% |
| 14 | Citroën C1 | 3.035 | 11.006 | -72% | 1,9% | 4,9% |
| 15 | Smart Forfour | 2.190 | 2.110 | 4% | 1,3% | 0,9% |
| 16 | Renault Kwid | 128 | 65 | 97% | 0,1% | 0,0% |
| 17 | Seat Mii | 42 | 2.207 | -98% | 0,0% | 1,0% |
| 18 | Skoda Citigo | 38 | 2.288 | -98% | 0,0% | 1,0% |
| Segment total | 162.274 | 224.483 | -28% |
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.