The small MPV segment accelerates its slowdown in Q2, as sales of small MPVs are down 13% in the first half, from -9% in Q1. As mentioned before, this is undoubtedly due to the growing popularity of small crossovers and an influx of models into that segment. In fact, with the introduction of the Fiat 500X, all top-5 players in the small MPV segment now also have a crossover sibling/competitor within their brand. And it can’t be a coincidence these are the MPVs that are showing the steepest declines.
Photo credit: Auto.czAs a result, only three out of the nine surviving models show an increase in sales (and none of the top-5), while four others show double digit contractions (all in the top-5). The leader Fiat 500L keeps its share of the segment stable thanks to sales down “just” 11%, and the Fiat consolidates its first place as the its nearest competitor of last year Nissan Note drops even further at -27% and down into third position. The Opel/Vauxhall Meriva moves into second place as it does slightly less bad than the overall segment at -6%. Despite sales down 20%, the former segment leader Ford B-Max holds on to its 4th place thanks to the Citroën C3 Picasso’s even bigger drop at -28%.
The two Korean models have stabilized their declines of 2014 and are now back into positive territory, albeit slightly. The Skoda Roomster is due to be replaced by a more conventionally styled model, which will be based on the VW Caddy. That means the outgoing model from 2006 will be replaced by a model that’s based on a platform dating back as far as 2003.
At the end of the ranking, the Toyota Verso-S makes a tentative comeback from way down below.
2015 first half sales small MPV segment Europe
| Small MPV segment | H1 2015 | H1 2014 | Change | |
| 1. | Fiat 500L | 50.639 | 56.589 | -11% |
| 2. | Opel/Vauxhall Meriva | 29.642 | 31.472 | -6% |
| 3. | Nissan Note | 27.467 | 37.758 | -27% |
| 4. | Ford B-Max | 25.164 | 31.520 | -20% |
| 5. | Citroën C3 Picasso | 21.811 | 30.323 | -28% |
| 6. | Hyundai ix20 | 19.914 | 19.612 | 2% |
| 7. | Kia Venga | 15.619 | 13.811 | 13% |
| 8. | Skoda Roomster | 12.989 | 13.797 | -6% |
| 9. | Toyota Verso-S | 3.865 | 3.476 | 11% |
| 10. | Subaru Trezia | 38 | 215 | -82% |
| 11. | Lancia Musa | 3 | 8 | -63% |
| Segment total | 207.151 | 238.581 | -13% |
Click on any model to see its annual sales from 1997-2013 and monthly sales in 2012, 2013 and 2014, or use the dropdown menu in the top right of this site. Sources: Manufacturers, ANDC, JATO Dynamics.