A-segment

Car size classification in Europe

"City car" redirects here. For the urban electric car, see CityCar.

This article appears to be slanted towards recent events. Please try to keep recent events in historical perspective and add more content related to non-recent events. (April 2024)

|

2024 best-selling

Fiat 500e (2020–present)

Fiat Panda 3rd generation (2011–present)

Toyota Aygo 2nd generation (2014–2021)

Volkswagen Up! 1st generation (2011–2023)

Kia Picanto 3rd generation (2017–present)

The A-segment is the first category in the passenger car classification system defined by the European Commission. It is used for city cars, the smallest category of passenger cars defined.[1][2][3]

A-segment sales represent approximately 7–8% of the market in 2010s.[4][5][6] It is approximately equivalent to the kei car class in Japan.

## Definition

[edit]

As of 2021, the A-segment category size spans from approximately 2.7 metres (110 in) to 3.7 metres (150 in).[citation needed]

## Characteristics

[edit]

Body styles for A-segment cars in Europe are always hatchbacks. But as crossovers gain popularity, new models may shift to resemble crossovers. Such examples are the Suzuki Ignis and the Toyota Aygo X. Other body styles such as sedans are not present in this segment because these shapes largely prove impractical at typical A-segment dimensions.

## Current models

[edit]

See also: Category:City cars and Category:Euro NCAP superminis

In 2020 the ten highest selling A-segment cars in Europe were Fiat Panda, Fiat 500, Toyota Aygo, Renault Twingo, Volkswagen Up!, Hyundai i10, Kia Picanto, Peugeot 108, Citroën C1 and Suzuki Ignis. [7]

100,000 - 200,000 sales (Best-Selling)

* Fiat 500 (2007)
1st generation (2007–present)
Made in Poland

* Fiat Panda
3rd generation (2011–present)
Made in Italy

50,000 - 100,000 sales

* Volkswagen Up!
1st generation (2011–2023)
Made in Slovakia

* Kia Picanto
3rd generation (2017–present)
Made in Russia

* Renault Twingo
3rd generation (2014–present)
Made in Slovenia

* Hyundai i10
3rd generation (2019–present)
Made in Turkey

* Toyota Aygo X
1st generation (2022–present)
Made in Czech Republic

10,000 - 50,000 sales

* Suzuki Ignis
2nd generation (2016–present)
Made in India

* Citroën C1
2nd generation (2014–2021)
Made in Czech Republic

* Peugeot 108
2nd generation (2014–2021)
Made in Czech Republic

* Mitsubishi Mirage
6th generation (2012–present)
Made in Thailand

* smart EQ fortwo
3rd generation (2016–present)
Made in France

* Dacia Spring
1st generation (2021–present)
Made in China

## Sales figures in Europe

[edit]

2021

rank

| Brand  | Model  | 2013  | 2014  | 2015  | 2016  | 2017  | 2018  | 2019  | 2020  | 2021  | % change

(2020–2021)

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1  | Fiat | Panda | 152,727  | 152,045  | 171,377  | 190,432  | 187,049  | 168,094  | 184,027  | 145,907  | 175,950  |  +25%
2  | Fiat | 500 (2007) | 158,918  | 180,403  | 180,005  | 183,194  | 189,360  | 188,448  | 175,017  | 141,313  | 131,723  |  -10%
3  | Toyota | Aygo | 57,002  | 68,874  | 86,085  | 84,321  | 84,588  | 92,187  | 99,510  | 82,711  | 82,820  |  0%
4  | Volkswagen | Up! | 130,039  | 124,845  | 105,348  | 96,836  | 100,715  | 97,366  | 80,048  | 59,578  | 69,400  |  +16%
5  | Kia | Picanto | 50,524  | 51,222  | 54,036  | 54,982  | 62,161  | 74,526  | 74,305  | 49,211  | 59,949  |  +22%
6  | Renault | Twingo | 78,432  | 81,574  | 95,808  | 84,766  | 77,326  | 86,221  | 87,383  | 73,345  | 58,161  |  -21%
7  | Hyundai | i10 | 60,324  | 80,819  | 86,004  | 85,385  | 90,603  | 83,102  | 78,791  | 50,233  | 56,074  |  +12%
8  | Suzuki | Ignis | \-  | \-  | \-  | 1,602  | 41,166  | 43,774  | 38,091  | 37,568  | 42,206  |  +12%
9  | Citroën | C1 | 56,722  | 53,518  | 63,695  | 62,537  | 53,292  | 52,020  | 49,900  | 40,578  | 35,897  |  -12%
10  | Peugeot | 108 | \-  | 31,087  | 68,522  | 63,561  | 55,831  | 57,257  | 54,230  | 43,629  | 34,689  |  -20%
11  | Mitsubishi | Mirage/Space Star | 13,978  | 22,008  | 29,547  | 27,386  | 30,016  | 36,105  | 38,002  | 35,703  | 32,662  |  -9%
12  | Smart | Fortwo | 65,226  | 52,059  | 57,056  | 69,169  | 65,800  | 62,361  | 77,766  | 19,576  | 26,869  |  +37%
13  | Dacia | Spring | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | 1,724  | 25,740  |  +1,393%
14  | SEAT | Mii | 28,608  | 24,865  | 24,298  | 19,882  | 15,412  | 13,031  | 12,641  | 7,790  | 9,428  |  +21%
15  | Smart | Forfour |  | 3,757  | 39,543  | 37,133  | 34,253  | 34,975  | 36,736  | 7,640  | 8,823  |  +15%
16  | Škoda | Citigo | 44,851  | 40,616  | 38,735  | 38,664  | 35,698  | 36,450  | 30,786  | 14,120  | 5,264  |  -63%
17  | Renault | Kwid | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | 65  | 439  |  +575%
18  | Suzuki | Celerio | \-  | 894  | 25,393  | 26,465  | 23,417  | 20,836  | 13,275  | 2,035  | 16  |  -99%
19  | Citroën | C-Zero | \-  | \-  | 1,075  | 1,780  | 1,105  | 1,247  | 980  | 1,839  | 14  |  -99%
20  | Peugeot | iOn | \-  | \-  | 1,461  | 1,881  | 1,544  | 1,651  | 865  | 333  | 4  |  -99%
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Citroën | E-Mehari | \-  | \-  | \-  | 569  | 353  | 321  | 154  | 78  | \-  |
| Mitsubishi | i-MiEV | \-  | \-  | 714  | 484  | 447  | 325  | 171  | 57  | \-  |
| Opel/Vauxhall | Adam | 45,756  | 54,207  | 55,278  | 52,938  | 48,181  | 41,817  | 31,129  | 5  | \-  |
| Mitsubishi | Attrage | \-  | \-  | 352  | 168  | 114  | 62  | 88  | 1  | \-  |
| Opel/Vauxhall | Karl/Viva | \-  | \-  | 28,607  | 57,458  | 49,516  | 48,292  | 47,504  | 0  | \-  |
| DR Automobiles | Zero | \-  | \-  | \-  | 261  | 174  | \-  | \-  | 0  | \-  |
| Lancia/Chrysler | Ypsilon | 57,613  | 62,807  | 59,501  | 66,941  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  |
| Ford | Ka | 50,012  | 52,854  | 48,368  | 21,333  | 204  | 16  | \-  | \-  | \-  |
| Peugeot | 107 | 55,244  | 24,356  | 88  | 5  | 1  | 2  | \-  | \-  | \-  |
| Chevrolet | Spark | 37,268  | 10,138  | 479  | 96  | 2  | 3  | \-  | \-  | \-  |
| Suzuki | Alto  | 26,821  | 26,876  | 5,710  | 4  | 2  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  |
| Suzuki | Splash | 15,563  | 13,232  | 2,663  | 11  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  |
| Opel/Vauxhall | Agila | 14,020  | 12,200  | 2,054  | 19  | 1  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  |
| Toyota | iQ | 5,462  | 3,593  | 292  | 172  | 2  | 3  | \-  | \-  | \-  |
| Tata | Indica |  | 345  | 52  | 3  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  |
| Nissan | Pixo | 3,321  | 131  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  |
| DR Automobiles | DR1 | 21  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  |
| Daihatsu | Cuore/Charade | 5  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  |
| Volkswagen | Fox | 1  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  |
| Abarth | 500 | \-  | \-  | \-  | \-  | 18,499  | 20,570  | 19,157  | \-  | \-  |
Segment total  |  |  | 1,208,431  | 1,229,352  | 1,332,146  | 1,330,438  | 1,266,832  | 1,261,062  | 1,230,556  | 814,974  | 856,129  |  -5%
Source  |  |  | [8] | [9] | [10] | [11] | [12] | [13] | [14] | [15] | [16] |

## Market share in Europe

[edit]

Year  | 2017  | 2018  | 2019  | 2020  | 2021[16]

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Share  | 8.1%  | 8%  | 7.7%  | 6.8%  | 7.3%

2019 - In 2019, sales of minicars were down 2% compared to a total market gain of 1% which means this segment now makes up 7.7% of the total European car market at 1.21 million sales, down from 8% in 2018. And with margins on minicars under pressure due to increased costs to comply with stricter safety and emissions standards, manufacturers are scaling back investments in to minicars or switching to an EV-only strategy. [17]

In Italy, A-segment cars represented 16.4% of car sales in the first half of 2019.[18]

2020 - European sales of minicars were down by a third in 2020, which translates to nearly 400,000 fewer sales and means the segment loses market share as the overall market is down 24%. As a result, this segment now makes up 6.8% of the total European car market, down from 7.7% last year. And their share is expected to shrink further in coming years, as manufacturers are pulling out of this segment or switching their models to EV-only. This is a result of increasing costs to comply with stricter safety and especially emissions standards, which makes minicars nearly unprofitable, especially considering that for most models from European brands this is the only market. [19]

## Market share in other countries

[edit]

In the United States, minicar segment cars represented 0.5% of the market share.

In 2020 the highest selling minicar segment cars in the U.S. were the Chevrolet Spark, Mitsubishi Mirage and Mini Cooper.[20]

In India, historically the A-segment cars had the highest sales. Sales have been in decline in recent years,[21] falling from 70,000 sales per month in 2014 to 47,000 sales per month in 2016.[22]

As of 2019, several A-segment cars had successes outside Europe, such as Hyundai Grand i10, Honda Brio, Kia Picanto, Tata Tiago, Toyota Wigo, Suzuki Celerio, Suzuki Wagon R, Suzuki/Maruti Alto, Ford Figo, Smart ForTwo, Citroën C1, Peugeot 108, and modern Fiat 500.

## See also

[edit]

* B-segment
* Euro Car Segment
* Car classification
* Vehicle size class
* Hatchback
* Economy car
* Microcar
* Mini car [ja]
* Quadricycle (EU vehicle classification)
* Kei car
* Kei truck
* Crossover city car

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "European classification for vehicle category, based in UNECE standards". European Alternative Fuels Observatory. Archived from the original on 12 December 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
2. ^ Patton, Phil (28 March 2005). "AUTOS ON MONDAY/Design; Little Cars in the Big Apple: Still Only a Good Idea". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 March 2010. "In Europe, the "city car" is a well-understood concept"
3. ^ Ruppert, James. "Motoring: The City car to be seen in". The Independent. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2010. "(City cars) are meant to be cheap, small, easy to park and yet practical, with good manners on the open road"
4. ^ "European sales 2018 Minicars". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
5. ^ "European sales 2019 Minicars". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
6. ^ "European sales 2020 Minicars". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
7. ^ "European sales 2020 Minicars". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
8. ^ "European sales 2013 Minicar segment". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
9. ^ "European sales 2014 Minicar segment". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2015. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
10. ^ "European sales 2015 Minicar segment". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
11. ^ "European sales 2016 Minicar segment". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
12. ^ "European sales 2017 Minicar segment". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
13. ^ "European sales 2018 Minicar segment". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
14. ^ "European sales 2019 Minicars". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
15. ^ "European sales 2020 Minicars". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
16. ^ a b "2021 Best Selling Subcompact Cars In Europe (All Models Ranked)". www.goodcarbadcar.net. 26 April 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
17. ^ "European sales 2019 Minicars". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
18. ^ "Car market share in Italy from January to June 2019, by segment". www.statista.com. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
19. ^ "European sales 2020 Minicars". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
20. ^ "US car sales analysis 2020 – Minicars". www.carsalesbase.com. February 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
21. ^ "India: A-segment cars biggest market share loser, compact SUVs leading gainer". www.ihsmarkit.com. 14 June 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
22. ^ "Segment shift: Indian car buyers now prefer premium". www.carwale.com. 14 April 2017. Retrieved 15 December 2018.

Car market segments and legal classifications

* v
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Euro Car Segment[1] | Euro NCAP Class | US EPA
Size Class[2] | Other common
segment terms | Examples
Quadricycle | — | — | Microcar
Bubble car | Bond Bug, Smart ForTwo, Isetta,
Mega City, Renault Twizy
A-segment mini cars | Supermini | Minicompact | City car
Kei car (JP) | Chevrolet Spark, Fiat 500, Kia Picanto,
Suzuki Alto, Renault Twingo
B-segment small cars | Subcompact | — | Ford Fiesta, Kia Rio, Opel Corsa,
Peugeot 208, Volkswagen Polo
C-segment medium cars | Small family car | Compact | — | Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus,
Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Golf
Subcompact executive | Acura ILX, Audi A3, BMW 1 Series,
Lexus CT, Mercedes-Benz A-Class
D-segment large cars | Large family car | Mid-size | — | Ford Mondeo, Toyota Camry, Peugeot 508,
Mazda6, Volkswagen Passat
Compact executive (U.K.)
Entry-level luxury (U.S.) | Alfa Romeo Giulia, Audi A4, BMW 3 Series,
Lexus IS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class
E-segment executive cars | Executive | Large | Full-size car (U.S.) | Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler 300, Ford Taurus,
Holden Caprice, Toyota Avalon
Mid-size luxury (U.S.) | Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Cadillac CT5,
Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Tesla Model S
F-segment luxury cars | — | Full-size luxury (U.S.)
Luxury saloon (U.K.) | Genesis G90, BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ,
Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Porsche Panamera
S-segment sports coupés | — | — | Supercar | Bugatti Chiron, LaFerrari, Lamborghini Aventador,
Pagani Huayra, Porsche 918 Spyder
— | — | Convertible | Chevrolet Camaro, Mercedes-Benz CLK,
Volvo C70, Volkswagen Eos, Opel Cascada
Roadster sports | Two-seater | Roadster
Sports car | BMW Z4, Lotus Elise, Mazda MX-5,
Porsche Boxster, Mercedes-Benz SLK
M-segment multi purpose cars | Small MPV | Minivan | Mini MPV | Citroën C3 Picasso, Kia Venga, Ford B-Max,
Opel Meriva, Fiat 500L
Compact MPV | Chevrolet Orlando, Ford C-Max, Suzuki Ertiga,
Renault Scénic, Volkswagen Touran
Large MPV | People mover (AU) | Chrysler Pacifica (RU), Kia Carnival, Renault Espace,
Toyota Sienna, Citroën C4 Grand Picasso
J-segment sport utility cars | Small off-road 4x4 | Small SUV | Mini 4x4 (U.K.)
Mini SUV (U.S.) | Daihatsu Terios, Ford EcoSport, Jeep Renegade,
Peugeot 2008, Suzuki Jimny
Compact 4x4 (U.K.)
Compact SUV | Tesla Model Y, Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape,
Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage
Large off-road 4x4 | Standard SUV | Large 4x4 (U.K., AU)
Mid-size SUV (U.S.) | Ford Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe, Jeep Grand Cherokee,
Volkswagen Touareg, Volvo XC90
Full-size SUV (U.S.)
Large 4x4 (U.K.)
Upper Large SUV (AU) | Lincoln Navigator, Range Rover, Chevrolet Suburban,
Toyota Land Cruiser, Mercedes-Benz GLS

* v
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* e

Car classification by the European Commission

* A (mini-cars)
* B (small cars)
* C (medium cars)
* D (large cars)
* E (executive cars)
* F (luxury cars)
* J (sport utility cars)
* M (multi purpose cars)
* S (sport coupés)

* Template:Automobile configuration

* v
* t
* e

Car design

Classification|

| By size|

* Micro
* Kei
* Subcompact
* Supermini
* Family
* Compact
* Mid-size
* Full-size

|

Custom|

* Hot rod
* Lead sled
* Lowrider
* Street rod
* T-bucket

Luxury|

* Compact executive
* Executive
* Personal

Minivan / MPV|

* Compact
* Leisure
* Mini

SUV|

* Compact
* Crossover (CUV)
* Mini
* Coupe SUV

Sports|

* Grand tourer
* Hot hatch
* Muscle
* Pony
* Sport compact
* Super
* Go-kart

Other|

* Antique
* Classic
* Economy
* Ute
* Van
* Vintage car

EU|

* A-segment
* B-segment
* C-segment
* D-segment
* E-segment
* F-segment
* J-segment
* M-segment
* S-segment

Body styles|

* 2+2
* Baquet
* Barchetta
* Berlinetta
* Brougham
* Cabrio coach
* Cab over
* Cabriolet / Convertible / Drophead coupe
* Coupe
* Coupé de Ville / Sedanca de Ville
* Coupé utility
* Fastback
* Hardtop
* Hatchback
* Kammback
* Landaulet
* Liftback
* Limousine
* Microvan
* Minibus
* Multi-stop truck
* Notchback
* Panel van
* Phaeton
* Pickup truck
* Quad coupé
* Retractable hardtop
* Roadster / Spider / Spyder
* Runabout
* Saloon / Sedan
* Sedan delivery/Panel van
* Shooting brake
* Station wagon
* Targa top
* Torpedo
* Touring
* Town (Coupé de Ville)
* T-top
* Vis-à-vis

Specialized
vehicles|

* All-terrain vehicle
* Amphibious
* Connected
* Driverless (autonomous)
* Go-kart
* Gyrocar
* Pedal car
* Personal rapid transit
* Police car
* Flying car
* Taxicab
* Tow truck
* Voiturette

Propulsion|

* Alternative fuel
* Autogas
* Biodiesel
* Biofuel
* Biogasoline
* Biogas
* Compressed natural gas
* Diesel
* Electric (battery
* NEV)
* Ethanol (E85)
* Fossil fuel
* Fuel cell
* Fuel gas
* Natural gas
* Gasoline / petrol (direct injection)
* Homogeneous charge compression ignition
* Hybrid (plug-in)
* Hydrogen
* Internal combustion
* Liquid nitrogen
* Liquified petroleum gas
* Steam

Drive wheels|

* Front-wheel
* Rear-wheel
* Two-wheel
* Four-wheel
* Six-wheel
* Eight-wheel
* Ten-wheel
* Twelve-wheel

Engine position|

* Front
* Mid
* Rear

Layout
(engine / drive)|

* Front-front
* Front mid-front
* Rear-front
* Front-rear
* Rear mid-rear
* Rear-rear
* Front-four-wheel
* Mid-four-wheel
* Rear-four-wheel
* Dual motor-four-wheel

Engine configuration
(internal combustion)|

* Boxer
* Flat
* Four-stroke
* H-block
* Reciprocating
* Single-cylinder
* Straight
* Two-stroke
* V (Vee)
* W engine
* Wankel

* Portal
* Category
* Template:EC car classification

1. ^ "Case No COMP/M.1406 - Hyundai / Kia: Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 Merger Procedure: Article 6(1)(b) Non-opposition" (PDF). Office for Official Publications of the European Communities. 17 March 1999. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
2. ^ 40 CFR 600.315-08

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