TheB-segmentis the second smallest of theEuropean segments for passenger carsbetween theA-segmentandC-segment,and commonly described as "small cars".[1][2][3]The B-segment is the largest segment in Europe by volume, accounting for 20 percent of total car sales in 2020 according toJATO Dynamics.[4]B-segment cars include hatchback,saloon,estate,coupe/convertible,MPV,andcrossover/SUVbody styles.[5][6]
Definition
editThe European segments are not based on size or weight criteria.[7]In practice, B-segment cars have been described as having a length of approximately 3.7–4.2 m (146–165 in), and may vary depending on the body styles, markets, and era.[8][9][10]In some cases, the same car may be differently positioned depending on the market.[9]
TheEuro NCAPvehicle class called "Supermini" also includes smallerA-segmentcars alongside B-segment cars.[11]
In Britain, the term "supermini" is more widely used for B-segment hatchbacks.[12]The term was developed in the 1970s as an informal categorisation,[13]and by 1977 was used regularly by the British newspaperThe Times.[14]By the mid-1980s, it had widespread use in Britain.[15][16][17]
In Germany, the term "small cars" (German:Kleinwagen) has been endorsed by the Federal Motor Transport Authority (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt,KBA) equivalent to the B-segment.[18][19]The segment accounts for 15.1 percent of total car registrations in the country in 2020.[20]
History
edit
The term supermini, which precedes the B-segment term, emerged in the UK in the 1970s, as car manufacturers sought a new design to surpass the influentialMini,launched in 1959, and journalists attempted to categorise such a vehicle.[21][22]The car which is widely regarded as the first modern supermini is theAutobianchi A112,launched in 1969. It was later followed by theFiat 127,Renault 5,VW PoloandHonda Civic,which are similar in concept and size.
These supermini or B-segment cars were considered to feature better comfort and convenience, with the safety and surefootedness of the Mini's front-wheel drive/transverse engine package. That meant the addition of a hatchback and folding rear seats. The oil crisis in the 1970s was also argued to increase supermini market share.[9]
In 1976,Fordlaunched theFord Fiestawhich became popular.[23][24]The segment began to be more popular in the 1980s.[23]By the mid-1980s, the term supermini had become established as a formalcar classificationterm,[16]eventually being adopted inEuropean Commissionclassification as the B-segment.[7]
The 1990Renault Clioand 1983Fiat Unowere significant models in the supermini or the B-segment, being the recipients of theEuropean Car of the Yearaward.[25][26]The Clio replaced the long-running Renault 5, although the latter remained in production until 1996.[27]In 1993, theNissan Micra (K11),became the first Japanese car company to be receive the European Car of the Year award.[28]In 1999, theToyota Yarisreceived the European Car of the Year award, and was noted for its high roof which allowed for improved interior space.[29]Another notable model is theOpel Corsa,which was the best-selling car in the world in the year 1998 thanks to its extensive international presence. It recorded a global sales of 910,839 units that year, in which 54 percent was contributed by its European sales.[30]It took the world number one spot from theToyota Corollaat 906,953 sales.[31]
Safety and performance
editSafety features have improved for the cars in the segment. In 1995, both petrol and diesel B-segment vehicles had only around 40 percent of the listed safety options installed (side impact bars, driver/passenger airbag, side airbag,ABS,electronic braking system, stability control), whereas by 2010 they were averaging over 90 percent. This represents a significant improvement in vehicle safety over the period, despite petrol and diesel B-segment vehicles averaging an inflation-adjusted price increase of 6 percent and 15 percent respectively.[32]
Studies from theEuropean Unionand JATO has found that the average maximum power output of B-segment vehicles has increased by 40 percent between 1995 and 2010, while the average overall vehicle weight only increased by around 20 percent in the same period. Fuel consumption has decreased by around 20 percent, andpower-to-weight ratiohas increased by 15 percent.[33]
Body styles
editHatchback is the most popular body style for the segment.[34]While the majority is equipped with five doors, many European-oriented hatchbacks was offered with both three-door and five-door versions, with 31 percent of European customers opting for three-door B-segment hatchbacks by 2007. The share has decreased to 13 percent in 2016 due to the shift of market preference which is moving towards prioritizing usability and practicality.[35]As the result, by late 2010s, a number of manufacturers had stopped offering three-door versions of its B-segment hatchback models in Europe.[36]
Other body styles currently available in the segment in Europe are saloon (example:Dacia Logan), estate (example:Dacia Logan MCVandŠkoda Fabia Combi[37]), and coupe/convertible (example:Mini Cooper Cabrio/Convertible).[34]
Hot hatch
edit
Performance-oriented versions of B-segment hatchbacks were developed and sold as a more expensive offering. Examples include theFord Fiesta ST,Hyundai i20 N,Peugeot 208 GTi,Suzuki Swift Sport,Toyota GR Yaris,Volkswagen Polo GTI,among others.[38][39]
MPV/minivan
edit
B-segment MPV (also called mini MPV or B-MPV) are taller and/or longer derivatives of B-segment hatchbacks with an emphasis in interior space and practicality.[40]Examples are theCitroën C3 Picasso,Fiat 500L,andFord B-Max.[40]
Crossover/SUV
edit
B-segment crossovers or SUVs (also called subcompact crossover SUV, small SUV,[42]or B-SUV[43]) are crossovers/SUVs that has a dimensions on par or slightly larger than traditional B-segment cars,[44]and often are built on the same platform as B-segment hatchbacks or saloons.[45][46]B-segment SUVs are usually excluded by analysts from traditional B-segment car sales.[34][47]22 percent of SUV global sales were contributed by B-segment SUVs in 2019.[34]
Electric vehicles
edit
One of the first mass-market electric B-segment cars in Europe was theRenault Zoe,released in 2012. Global sales of the Zoe achieved the 50,000 unit milestone in June 2016,[49]and 200,000 units by March 2020.[50][51]Other manufacturers followed suit;Groupe PSAintroduced thePeugeot e-208andOpel Corsa-ein 2019,[52]whileHondafollowed with the low-volumeHonda e,[53]andMiniwith theirMini Electric.[54]
Equivalents
editThe B-segment is considered as the European equivalent to thesubcompactcategory widely known in North America, theA0-classin China, and thesuperminicategory for B-segmenthatchbacksin Great Britain.[55][8][56]
List of vehicles
edit
Category:Subcompact cars( 306 )
See also
editReferences
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- ^"Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 - Merger Procedure"(PDF).europa.eu.
exact market definition was left open.. boundaries between segments are blurred by factors other than the size or length of cars
- ^"Impact on the Competitiveness of the European Automotive Industry of Potential FTA with India and ASEAN"(PDF).europa.eu.p. 8. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 29 April 2013.
- ^Motionlab Marketing (9 March 2020)."13% of total new car registrations in Europe made up by EVs in January 2020".JATO.Retrieved30 May2021.
- ^King, Nicholas (21 December 2020)."Best of 2020: B-Segment".New Straits Times.Retrieved2 March2021.
- ^"My segmentation".Fiat Group World.21 October 2013.Retrieved2 March2021.
- ^ab"Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 - Merger Procedure"(PDF).europa.eu.
exact market definition was left open.. boundaries between segments are blurred by factors other than the size or length of cars
- ^abJacobs, Andrew James (2016).The new domestic automakers in the United States and Canada: history, impacts, and prospects.Le xing ton Books. p. 33.ISBN978-0-7391-8826-2.Retrieved19 July2017.
- ^abcFelipe, Munoz (15 May 2012)."Learning about cars: the 'B' segment".Fiat Group World.Retrieved29 January2022.
- ^Meadows, Jordan (2017).Vehicle Design: aesthetic principles in transportation design.Routledge. pp. 39–40.ISBN978-1-138-68560-4.Retrieved29 September2018.
- ^"Latest Safety Ratings".euroncap.Retrieved31 January2019.
- ^"What is a supermini?".Parkers.Retrieved7 February2019.
- ^Waymark, Peter (30 May 1977). "Basic design changes are the only way to cut car costs".The Times.p. 16.
From the fuel-saving point of view there can have been no more welcome trend in the past five years than the appearance from one European manufacturer after another of what has become known as the "supermini" – the Fiat 127, Renault 5, Peugeot 104, Volkswagen Polo and most recently, the Ford Fiesta.
- ^Waymark, Peter (5 May 1977)."Motoring".The Times.p. 33.Retrieved2 December2014.
- ^"Which? Car Supplement".Which?.Consumers' Association: 5. October 1984.
Popularly known as superminis, these cars are a size larger than the original BMC Mini and are typified by the Austin Metro.
- ^abMann, D (1999). "Car definitions and forecast methodology".Automotive Plastics & Composites – Worldwide Markets & Trends to 2007.Elsevier. p. 176.ISBN978-0-08-052774-1.Retrieved18 August2013.
- ^European Motor Business.(Economist Intelligence Unit)(whole issue no4–7) 1986.
- ^"Fahrzeugklassen – IPEK-Glossar".ipek.kit.edu.Retrieved21 June2021.
- ^"Kleinwagen 2021/2022: Marktübersicht mit Daten und Preisen"[Small cars 2021/2022: market overview with dates and prices].Motor1(in German).Archivedfrom the original on 21 April 2019.Retrieved22 June2021.
- ^"Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt - Fahrzeugzulassungen - Pressemitteilung Nr. 02/2021 - Fahrzeugzulassungen im Dezember 2020 - Jahresbilanz"[Press release No. 02/2021 - Vehicle registrations in December 2020 - Annual balance sheet].KBA.8 January 2021.Archivedfrom the original on 11 January 2021.Retrieved21 June2021.
- ^Webb, Clifford (11 August 1976). "Leyland management denies 'pushing too hard' over output".The Times.p. 15.
There are also said to be fears within the state-owned motor group that Ford, having displaced Leyland from their traditional market leadership, will stay top for the rest of the year and could consolidate this position further with the introduction of the super "Mini", the Ford Fiesta.
- ^"Plans for super Mini".The Times.18 August 1976. p. 1.
Leyland Cars announce a plan to mass produce a super Mini in an integrated operation at Longbridge.
- ^ab"The Rise of the Superminis".Hagerty UK.4 March 2015.Retrieved2 March2021.
- ^Stone, Matt (28 May 2020)."Ford Fiesta USA 1976-2019: Now Gone But Not Forgotten By Enthusiasts".Ford Performance.Archivedfrom the original on 24 June 2021.Retrieved2 March2021.
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- ^"Fiat Uno".autozine.org.Retrieved19 June2021.
- ^"25 years of the Renault Clio - picture special".Autocar.Retrieved19 June2021.
- ^Koch, Jeff."European Car of the Year 1993: Nissan Scores a First".Hemmings.Archivedfrom the original on 24 June 2021.Retrieved19 June2021.
- ^Burt, Matt (16 April 2020)."How the original Yaris was a game-changer in 1999".Toyota UK Magazine.Retrieved19 June2021.
- ^"Opel/Vauxhall Corsa European sales figures".carsalesbase.29 January 2014.Archivedfrom the original on 28 June 2020.Retrieved21 June2021.
- ^Gasnier, Matt (16 January 1999)."World 1998: GM Corsa the best-selling car in the world".Best Selling Cars Blog.Retrieved21 June2021.
- ^"Effect of regulations and standards on vehicle prices"(PDF).European Union(pdf). p. 40.Archived(PDF)from the original on 24 April 2019.
- ^"Effect of regulations and standards on vehicle prices"(PDF).European Union(pdf). p. 37.Archived(PDF)from the original on 24 April 2019.
- ^abcdFelipe, Munoz (8 July 2020)."These were the top-selling cars in 2019. Ram 1500 was 12th".Fiat Group World.Archivedfrom the original on 29 July 2020.Retrieved28 May2021.
- ^Motionlab Marketing (22 June 2017)."Europe says goodbye to 3-door Hatchs".JATO.Retrieved30 May2021.
- ^Radu, Mihnea (16 April 2018)."Peugeot 208 3-Door to Be Discontinued Soon, Just Like the Rest of Its Rivals".autoevolution.Retrieved3 March2021.
- ^"20 years of the Škoda Fabia Combi: A real success story".Škoda Storyboard.Retrieved19 June2021.
- ^Tudor-Lane, Adam (9 June 2016)."Why a hot hatch is the perfect all-round car".Carwitter.Retrieved21 June2021.
- ^"The Top 10 Best Hot Hatches In 2021 (And The Ones That Don't Quite Cut It)".Car Throttle.Retrieved21 June2021.
- ^abFelipe (17 September 2012)."Learning about cars: the 'B-MPV' Segment".Fiat Group World.Retrieved28 May2021.
- ^Motionlab Marketing (1 March 2016)."Audi Q2 is here to shake B-SUV segment".JATO.Retrieved28 May2021.
- ^"Top 10 best small SUVs 2020".Autocar.Retrieved13 January2021.
- ^"B-SUV Archives".JATO.Archivedfrom the original on 21 September 2016.Retrieved13 January2021.
- ^"A-SUVs are coming".JATO.11 June 2018.Retrieved13 January2021.
- ^"Prepare for the mini-SUV invasion..."Top Gear.24 April 2012.Retrieved29 August2012.
- ^"Nissan Juke 1.5dCi Tekna Review".Autocar.Retrieved24 May2017.
- ^"SUV-B segment to drive crossover growth in Europe".IHS Markit.29 January 2018.Retrieved13 February2021.
- ^"These are all the electric cars eligible for the UK's £2,500 plug-in car grant".Driving.co.uk.8 April 2021.Archivedfrom the original on 27 March 2021.Retrieved22 June2021.
the Zoe (the tiny Twizy isn't technically a car, after all) was one of the first electric superminis on the block,
- ^Cobb, Jeff (1 August 2016)."Renault Zoe and BMW i3 Join The 50,000 Sales Club".HybridCars.Retrieved1 August2016.As of June 2016[update],cumulative global sales of the top selling plug-in electric cars were led by the Nissan Leaf (about 225,000), Tesla Model S (over 129,000), BYD Qin (56,191), Renault Zoe (51,193), and BMW i3 (almost 50,000).
- ^Cobb, Jeff (31 January 2017)."Tesla Model S Is World's Best-Selling Plug-in Car For Second Year in a Row".HybridCars.Retrieved4 February2017.See also detailed 2016 sales and cumulative global sales in the two graphs.
- ^"Ventes Mensuelles - Statistiques commerciales mensuelles du groupe Renault"[Monthly Sales - Monthly sales statistics of the Renault Group].Renault(in French). April 2020.Retrieved17 May2020.Sales figures includes passenger and light utility variants. Click on the corresponding link to download the file, and open the tab "Sales by Model" to access sales figures for 2017, 2018 and 2019.
- ^"Renault ZOE Vs Peugeot e-208 Vs Opel Corsa-e: Compared".InsideEVs.Retrieved23 June2021.
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- ^"Electric supermini shoot-out: Mini Electric vs two rivals".Autocar.Retrieved23 June2021.
- ^"Motor Industry Facts 2013"(PDF).The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. 2013. p. 28.Retrieved17 August2013.
- ^Maxton, Graeme P.; Wormald, John (2004).Time for a Model Change: Re-engineering the Global Automotive Industry.Cambridge University Press. p.17.ISBN978-0-521-83715-6.Retrieved19 July2017.
B-segment cars.