The demise of the small MPV segment in Europe accelerates in the first quarter of 2016, as sales plunge by 20% after a 15% drop in 2015. Just one model shows an increase in sales (with the exception of the 3 sales of the Lancia Musa, a model that ended production in 2012), and two more lose single digit volume, while 7 models show double digit declines. This is partially due to a lack of new products, but also a result of cannibalization from small crossovers, the fastest growing mainstream segment in Europe. These are similarly priced and sacrifice a bit of practicality for less awkward design. The Fiat 500L gains market share with sales down “just” 15% and is now at 26% of the segment. The Opel/Vauxhall Meriva loses just 3% even though a replacement is due later this year. That new generation is being co-developed with PSA who will market a new C3 Picasso version of that same model. And to reflect the shift of interest by consumers from MPVs to crossovers, the new Meriva and Picasso will have a more SUV-like design, similar to the current generation Peugeot 3008 and the latest version of the Renault Espace.
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 Ford B-Max with its sliding rear doors climbs back onto the segment podium despite losing 14% of its volume, as the Nissan Note falls even harder, at -31%. That means the Citroën C3 Picasso is also closing in, being the only model in the segment to actually gain volume. The two South-Korean entries Hyundai ix20 and Kia Venga both lose sales but improve their share, though they remain stuck at the bottom of the ranking, ahead of a bunch of discontinued models.
| Small MPV segment | 2016 Q1 | 2015 Q1 | Change | |
| 1 | Fiat 500L | 22.805 | 26.734 | -15% |
| 2 | Opel/Vauxhall Meriva | 13.923 | 14.384 | -3% |
| 3 | Ford B-Max | 11.769 | 13.657 | -14% |
| 4 | Nissan Note | 11.574 | 16.692 | -31% |
| 5 | Citroën C3 Picasso | 11.364 | 10.812 | 5% |
| 6 | Hyundai ix20 | 8.604 | 10.206 | -16% |
| 7 | Kia Venga | 7.077 | 7.593 | -7% |
| 8 | Toyota Verso-S | 406 | 2.078 | -80% |
| 9 | Skoda Roomster | 75 | 6.826 | -99% |
| 10 | Lancia Musa | 3 | 1 | 200% |
| 11 | Subaru Trezia | 1 | 15 | -93% |
| Segment total | 87.601 | 108.998 | -20% |