Photo credit: Autogids.beThe midsized MPV segment in Europe goes deeper into a sales slump in Q3 of 2015, with sales down 8,7% in the quarter and now -4% year-to-date. In the first three quarters of this year, only two models in the top-10 show improve on their volume from last year. As opposed to most other segments, there’s an actual battle for the top spot between midsized MPVs this year, with the Citroën C4 Picasso reclaiming the lead after losing it to the Renault Scenic in Q2, but the Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan isn’t far behind either, and it was the best selling model in Q3. If all three continue like this in the last quarter, the Scenic will drop to the bottom step of the podium, which isn’t very surprising when you consider it’s about to be replaced early next year.
The Golf Sportsvan is cannibalizing the aging VW Touran somewhat, as that model dropped to 7th place of the segment in Q3 and 5th place year-to-date as the Ford C-Max took advantage of its weak rival by outselling the Touran by a 2:1 ratio in Q3. If the VW keeps struggling like this from the slow changeover to the new generation Touran, the Peugeot 3008 may reappear into the top-5 by the end of its seventh year on the market. The 3008 is leaving the Opel/Vauxhall Zafira clearly behind so far, which is the surviving model that’s going down the fastest, losing almost a third of its volume on last year.
The Peugeot 5008 manages to get back ahead of the Toyota Verso in Q3, after losing that place exactly one year ago. The Dacia Lodgy is the only other model in the top-10 to improve on last year, as the model rebounds from a sales-wise utterly forgettable 2014. The introduction of a tougher-looking Stepway version probably helps Lodgy sales to advance 9%. However, the Kia Carens is surprisingly stable and has its eyes set on reclaiming a top-10 position as well by the end of the year.
Meanwhile the Toyota Prius+ benefits from its facelift, while the Mazda5 is now Mazda’s only model that doesn’t have the new design language yet, and there’s no word of a replacement as the Japanese brand has focused on expanding its line-up with much more popular crossovers.
2015 first January – September midsized MPV sales Europe
| Midsized MPV segment | Jan-Sep 2015 | Jan-Sep 2014 | Change | |
| 1. | Citroën C4 (Grand) Picasso | 85.647 | 92.127 | -7% |
| 2. | Renault (Grand) Scenic | 82.931 | 84.174 | -1% |
| 3. | Volkswagen Sportsvan | 81.577 | 30.427 | 168% |
| 4. | Ford (Grand) C-Max | 63.209 | 70.019 | -10% |
| 5. | Volkswagen Touran | 54.138 | 69.736 | -22% |
| 6. | Peugeot 3008 | 51.658 | 61.657 | -16% |
| 7. | Opel/Vauxhall Zafira | 43.749 | 64.589 | -32% |
| 8. | Peugeot 5008 | 24.406 | 27.682 | -12% |
| 9. | Toyota Verso | 24.224 | 25.111 | -4% |
| 10. | Dacia Lodgy | 17.478 | 15.990 | 9% |
| 11. | Kia Carens | 16.996 | 17.867 | -5% |
| 12. | Seat Altea | 14.235 | 13.615 | 5% |
| 13. | Toyota Prius+ | 5.271 | 4.510 | 17% |
| 14. | Mazda5 | 5.062 | 5.347 | -5% |
| 15. | Chevrolet Orlando | 39 | 2.856 | -99% |
| 16. | Volkswagen Golf Plus | 14 | 6.317 | -100% |
| Segment total | 570.634 | 592.024 | -4% |
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.