If the large MPV segment has firmly held its ground last year, with sales up 5% after years of decline, thanks to large discounts on the outgoing Ford S-Max and Galaxy, 2015 sales are in the sink, as customers are awaiting the arrival of the new generations of both Fords and the Renault Espace.
This model change-over has given the VW Group twins Volkswagen Sharan and Seat Alhambra the opportunity to steal the limelight and take a one-two finish with a combined share of the segment of 62,5%. The performance of the Alhambra is especially noteworthy, as the model has increased its sales every year since its new generation arrived in showrooms in 2011, as opposed to most cars which peak shortly before slowly declining until the next update. In fact, if the model can keep up this pace through the rest of the year (which I doubt it can), it will score its highest sales ever, for all generations of the MPV.
Meanwhile, both Ford models lose half of their volume on last year, with the all-new S-Max ready to hit showrooms any moment now and the all-new Galaxy due in the second half of the year. It will be interesting to see if especially the S-Max can gain traction quickly enough to move back up on the charts by the end of the year.
The Renault Espace is down even worse, losing almost two thirds of last year’s already record low volume, but the new generation is already in showrooms as we speak and should start to pick up steam in the second quarter. However, the gap between the Espace and the S-Max seems rather wide to have any hopes of a podium finish in 2015.
It’s French compatriots have already stopped production of the ancient Citroën C8 and Peugeot 807 and are selling off the last remaining stock, without any word on a possible replacement.
| Large MPV segment | Q1 2015 | Q1 2014 | Change | |
| 1. | Volkswagen Sharan | 8.079 | 7.676 | 5% |
| 2. | Seat Alhambra | 6.164 | 5.067 | 22% |
| 3. | Ford S-Max | 4.088 | 8.782 | -53% |
| 4. | Ford Galaxy | 2.580 | 4.976 | -48% |
| 5. | Renault Espace | 797 | 2.116 | -62% |
| 6. | Lancia/Chrysler Voyager | 687 | 1.023 | -33% |
| 7. | SsangYong Rodius / Stavic | 307 | 259 | 19% |
| 8. | Citroën C8 | 57 | 504 | -89% |
| 9. | Peugeot 807 | 45 | 529 | -91% |
| Segment total | 22.804 | 30.932 | -26% |
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.