Rivalry in Europe’s compact SUV/crossover segment will intensify as more brands compete for sales with refreshed models or all-new entries such as the Renault Kadjar. By 2020 the segment is forecast to top 2 million sales in Europe, according to IHS Automotive, doubling last year’s total when volume SUVs/crossovers ranked as the region’s fourth-largest vehicle class after subcompacts, compacts and minicars, according to JATO Dynamics.
“I don’t think a volume automaker in the region can afford to be without one,” said Ian Fletcher, an IHS principal analyst.
Renault unveiled the Kadjar at the Geneva auto show last month. IHS forecasts that the model will become Europe’s No. 4-selling crossover in 2017 behind Nissan’s second-generation Qashqai, as well as new versions of the Volkswagen Tiguan and Peugeot 3008.
The Kadjar is Renault’s latest attempt to gain traction in the segment after its Korea-built Koleos flopped in Europe. Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn said he expects the Kadjar to match the success of the Captur subcompact SUV, which rose from No. 3 to No. 1 in its segment in 2014, its first full year of sales in Europe.
VW is expected to unveil the second-generation Tiguan at the Frankfurt auto show in September while Spanish sister brand Seat will debut its first SUV next year. Both the Tiguan and Seat’s SUV will be built on VW Group’s MQB platform.
Also seen for the first time in Geneva was the Hyundai Tucson, which will replace the ix35, last year’s fourth-ranked seller in the segment. Meanwhile PSA/Peugeot-Citroen and General Motors subsidiary Opel/Vauxhall are working on a joint model that is due to arrive in two years. PSA says there will be five variants of the model.
0 коментарі:
Post a Comment