The subcompact car segment grows slower than the overall European car market at +6%, as only two models have been renewed last year. Still, 2.646.842 sales mean it’s still the biggest segment in Europe with more than 300.000 units advantage over the compact car segment. The Ford Fiesta leads for the 4th straight year and the 6th time in the last 7 years. The Renault Clio manages to hold on to its #2 spot above the Volkswagen Polo, despite the latter gaining 8% and closing in quickly. All three have sold over 300.000 units last year. The Opel/Vauxhall Corsa, Peugeot 208 and Toyota Yaris follow in the same order as the year before to keep the entire top-6 ranking stable, but the renewed Skoda Fabia adds almost as much volume as the three competitors ahead of it and moves past the Dacia Sandero and Citroën C3 to take 7th place.
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
The Hyundai i20 breaks its volume record again, but as I’ve said before the new generation still disappoints with sales up only 9% on the old model. Perhaps the introduction of more efficient turbocharged engines in 2016 will give the i20 a boost, literally and figuratively. At least the i20 managed to outsell the very “mature” Fiat Punto, which breaks its own record for the lowest annual volume as Fiat is taking its time working on a replacement.
The Nissan Micra is up 10% even though it’s going to be replaced this year, and Nissan has hinted at a more exciting design with the Sway concept car at the Geneva Auto show last year. The Mazda2 shows what a more exciting design can do to the sales of a model, as it is the fastest growing model in the segment at +46%, moving past the Honda Jazz’, which is the biggest loser in the top-20. The new generation Jazz has finally arrived in Honda showrooms in Europe, about 2 years and 3 months after it went on sale in Japan, so I don’t expect it to work miracles for Honda dealers who also have the HR-V to sell now.
The Renault Zoe adds an impressive 67% of volume to sell almost 18.500 units, which is an annual record for an electric car in Europe. Also a record, but for a Chinese car in Europe, for the UK-only MG3 at 2.603 sales, up 60% from 2014.
This year Nissan will replace the Micra as mentioned above, and Suzuki will double its number of models in the segment with the addition of the no-frills Baleno, which re-introduces a familiar name. The Baleno will cater to buyers looking for space and practicality, while the Swift should continue to appeal to a somewhat younger crowd.
| Subcompact segment | 2015 | 2014 | Change | |
| 1. | Ford Fiesta | 313.610 | 308.345 | 2% |
| 2. | Renault Clio | 303.240 | 299.623 | 1% |
| 3. | Volkswagen Polo | 301.462 | 279.463 | 8% |
| 4. | Opel/Vauxhall Corsa | 268.846 | 250.342 | 7% |
| 5. | Peugeot 208 | 228.088 | 214.547 | 6% |
| 6. | Toyota Yaris | 182.407 | 169.016 | 8% |
| 7. | Skoda Fabia | 159.927 | 116.337 | 37% |
| 8. | Dacia Sandero | 147.497 | 138.709 | 6% |
| 9. | Citroën C3 | 123.443 | 129.612 | -5% |
| 10. | Seat Ibiza | 118.055 | 112.928 | 5% |
| 11. | Hyundai i20 | 91.758 | 83.903 | 9% |
| 12. | Fiat Punto | 79.202 | 86.955 | -9% |
| 13. | Nissan Micra | 66.147 | 60.318 | 10% |
| 14. | Kia Rio | 63.930 | 58.425 | 9% |
| 15. | Dacia Logan | 56.144 | 54.549 | 3% |
| 16. | Suzuki Swift | 54.442 | 49.854 | 9% |
| 17. | Mazda2 | 35.478 | 24.289 | 46% |
| 18. | Honda Jazz | 30.510 | 37.645 | -19% |
| 19. | Renault Zoe | 18.469 | 11.090 | 67% |
| 20. | MG3 | 2.603 | 1.628 | 60% |
| 21. | Peugeot 207 | 1.401 | 16.110 | -91% |
| 22. | Chevrolet Aveo | 140 | 3.774 | -96% |
| 23. | Toyota Urban Cruiser | 24 | 355 | -93% |
| 24. | Mitsubishi Colt | 19 | 222 | -91% |
| Segment total | 2.646.842 | 2.508.432 | 6% |
Also check out the 2015 subcompact car segment in the United States.
Click on any model to see its annual sales from 1997-2014 and monthly sales in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, or use the dropdown menu in the top right of this site. Sources: Manufacturers, ANDC, JATO Dynamics.