European Compact Crossover Market Will Explode in Next 3 Years

There have been few market segments growing faster in Europe than the compact crossover. The segment has grown by 6% in the first half of the year, while the European auto market in general has contracted by 6%. The cars combine the platforms of B-segment cars with the higher ride SUVs. The analysts at IHS predict that the segment will double to around 600,000 cars in Europe by 2016. The market is about to get much more crowded with entries coming soon from VolkswagenVolkswagenGermany, 1938 > present98 models
9654 photos
31 videos
, FordFordUnited Kingdom, 1909 > present33 models
3718 photos
5 videos
, HyundaiHyundaiRepublic of Korea, 1967 > present79 models
1921 photos
3 videos
, KiaKiaRepublic of Korea, 1944 > present52 models
1724 photos
4 videos
, ToyotaToyotaJapan, 1937 > present155 models
4570 photos
10 videos
and HondaHondaJapan, 1948 > present102 models
2419 photos
10 videos
.

The Nissan JukeNissan JukeJapan, 2010 > present135 versions
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1 video
was among the first on the market and is still one of the leaders. But European automakers were quick to see Nissan’s success and copy them. Models like the Opel MokkaOpel Mokka Gen.1Germany, 2012 > present55 versions
81 photos
, Peugeot 2008Peugeot 2008 Gen.1France, 2012 > present58 versions
65 photos
and Renault CapturRenault Captur Gen.1France, 2013 > present37 versions
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have also found success.

Honda confirmed at the 2013 North American International Auto Show that it would have a compact crossover based on the FitHonda Fit Gen.2Japan, 2008 > present6 versions
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/JazzHonda Jazz Gen.2Japan, 2008 > 201443 versions
104 photos
in 2014.

Toyota has two cars in the segment coming soon. The Toyota brand will get a mass-market compact crossover before 2017, and Lexus plans a luxury crossoverLexus LF-NXJapan, 2013 > 2013 even sooner based on the RAV4Toyota Rav4 Gen.4Japan, 2013 > present24 versions
41 photos
platform.

Hyundai says that it is also planning a model for the niche but has not announced it yet, and its sibling Kia showed the NiroKia NiroRepublic of Korea, 2013 > 2013 concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

“It's a question of when, not if," said Hyundai Europe Marketing Director Mark Hall.

Ford’s EcoSportFord EcoSportUnited Kingdom, 2012 > 20126 photos
sub-compact SUV is on the way to Europe in 2014.

Volkswagen has not officially announced an entry into the market, but its TaigunVolkswagen TaigunGermany, 2013 > 20136 photos
concept is expected to make it to production.

The problem for the automakers is that the more of these cars that are on the market; the more sales will be diluted among them. When the Mokka and Juke were the only cars in the segment on sale, it was easy for them to be a success. The question will be if they can maintain their control when the market is saturated.

Source: Automotive News Europe