The mini/midi-MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle or minivan) segment emerged as a serious mainstream contender in the Western Europe new vehicle market during 2004 according to independent analyst JATO Dynamics.
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Although the lower-medium segment showed some brand-led recovery in the final months of the year with an annual increase in registrations of 22.84%, there was no doubt that mini/midi-MPVs became a popular alternative in 2004.
A distinct shift in the higher priced segments also emerged in 2004, with customers choosing SUVs and premium lower-medium cars over the conventional upper-medium and executive categories.
Renault remained the top brand in Western Europe, ahead of VW, Opel/Vauxhall, Ford, and Peugeot. Despite many of its products lying in declining segments, BMW performed strongly with registrations up 18.75% in December and 12.40% for the full year. In December the 3, 5, and 7-series models all led their segments, the 1-series came within a few units of leading its category, and the X3 was second in the SUV table.
Kia also did exceptionally well, with volume up 156.40% for the month and 44.18% for the year, thanks to outstanding sales of the new Picanto supermini (subcompact).
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By GlobalDataBrands outside the top 10 in 2004 that did well in western Europe last year include Smart (up 19.07%), Hyundai (up 18.75%) and Mazda (up 18.37%).
The VW Golf led the market for the full year, finishing with strong sales (550,117 units up 10.70% on 2003) that countered initial early concerns about a lack of demand for the new model [due to high prices in some markets]. The other top five sellers over the 12 months were the Peugeot 206 and 307, Renault Megane and the outgoing previous-model Ford Focus.
Sales in the mini-segment were up 1.02% for the year and 3.97% for December compared to the same month in 2003. The Fiat Panda (up 68.90% for the full year) led the segment from the Twingo and smart fortwo. Superminis fell 1.32% for the whole year and 1.66% for the month. Overall for 2004, the Peugeot 206 (now in its seventh year) led from the Renault Clio, Opel/Vauxhall Corsa, Ford Fiesta, Fiat Punto, and VW Polo.
The lower-medium category has been gaining strength in recent months due to new product launches such as the Golf, Focus, and Astra. Total registrations for December 2004 were 11.68% higher than December 2003, but sales for the full year were up only 1.62%. In 2004 the VW Golf retained its lead of the segment over the Peugeot 307 and Renault Megane.
In comparison, the premium lower-medium segment showed dramatic growth, increasing by 50.06% for the month and 9.50% for the full year. The Audi A3 (up 18.2%; fully redesigned five-door models arrived late in the year) continued to lead the sector ahead of the Alfa Romeo 147, followed by the recently-launched BMW 1-series.
The upper-medium category declined in December following two months of growth, down 5.4% compared to December 2003. The segment total for 2004 was 5.10% lower than for the previous year. The VW Passat continued as segment leader ahead of the Ford Mondeo, Opel/Vauxhall Vectra, Toyota Avensis (up 25.9%), and Renault Laguna.
The premium upper-medium segment also fell, by 14.15% for the month and 9.29% for the full year. The BMW 3-series (with the sedan versions on run-out) led the Audi A4 and Mercedes- Benz C-Class.
Executive car volumes remained fairly static overall in 2004 with sales down 0.25% for the 12 months and down 0.95% for December. The top three places for the full year went to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5-series, and Audi A6 (redesigned during the year).
The high-luxury segment, however, suffered in 2004 with sales declining 11.35% over the full year and 11.29% for the month of December.
The success story of the mini/midi-MPVs, which seemed unstoppable in 2004, finally slowed in the closing months of the year, declining 2.21% in December compared to the same month in 2003. However, sales were up by an impressive 22.84% over the course of the full year. For 2004, the Renault Scenic/Grand Scenic led the Opel/Vauxhall Zafira and Citroen Xsara Picasso.
The full-size MPV segment continued its slide with registrations down 26.4% in December and off 10.17% for the year.
SUVs were up 13.31% for the full year, with growth of 7.15% in the month of December. Overall in 2004, the Toyota RAV4 led the Nissan X-Trail and Suzuki Vitara/Grand Vitara/XL7.
The sports segment continued to grow, with sales up 23.47% for the full year and up 18.28% in December. The sector was led in 2004 by the Mercedes-Benz CLK and SLK.
