Sales of subcompact cars, Europe’s largest segment by volume, are down 6% in 2019 to drop below 3 million, which means the segment now makes up 19.1% of the European car market, down from 20.4% in 2018. The Renault Clio remains the best seller of the class despite its changeover from the fourth to the fifth generation as full-year deliveries of the two generations combined are virtually unaffected with just a 3% decline, while its nearest two rivals Volkswagen Polo and Ford Fiesta are both down by double digits.
The Peugeot 208 was also renewed in 2019 and like the Clio keeps its sales relatively stable at -2%. The 208 was the #3 best seller of the segment in Q4, indicating 2020 might offer an interesting battle for the podium, especially with the new generations of the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa and Toyota Yaris also in showrooms. The Corsa was in third place after the first three quarters, but its model changeover has hurt in in Q4 which has dropped it to #6 for the full year, just behind the Dacia Sandero which sets yet another annual sales record in Europe, its 6th consecutive record year in a streak of 8 years of annual gains, which have taken the model from 71,600 sales in 2011 to 223,100 sales in 2019. Including the Logan sedan, Dacia holds the #2 spot of the segment with 284,400 sales.
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