C-segment is defined by European Commission[1] as the third segment in European market car classification. It approximately corresponds to Compact Car segment in North America, or Small Family Car in British English acceptation.
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As European Commission defines also the M-segment for Multi-Purpose Cars and J-segment for Sport Utility Cars (including Off-road Vehicles), into C-segment are not classified vehicles using similar or adapted platforms of the C-segment, but which are falling in segments M and J like Light Commercial Vehicles, compact Sport Utility Vehicles (C-SUV's), compact Crossover Utility Vehicles (C-CUV's).
In the end, C-segment includes only hatchback and sedan bodies, including Station Wagon declination.
The size is similar to North-American Compact Car current size, i.e. approximately 4,100 mm (161 in) and 4,450 mm (175 in) long for hatchbacks, or 4,400 mm (173 in) and 4,750 mm (187 in) long for sedans (saloon) or station wagons (estate car).
As the "segment" terminology became more common in the United States, in 2012 the New York Times described the differences, saying "today’s small cars actually span three main segments in the global vehicle market. The tiny A-segment cars include the Chevy Spark and Smart Fortwo. They’re extremely short and very light. Slightly larger are B-segment cars like the Ford Fiesta and Chevy Sonic. The A- and B-cars are known as subcompacts. In the C-segment — typically called compacts — are the largest of the small cars. Examples include the Toyota Corolla, a perennial sales leader, as well as the Ford Focus, Chevy Cruze, Hyundai Elantra, Honda Civic and Volkswagen’s Golf and Jetta." [2]
C-segment in Europe, following above definition, was in 2011 the second most popular segment in the region (after B-segment), with approximately 3 millions vehicles sold.
C-segment is currently the most popular car in Europe, the Volkswagen Golf, which alone sold approximately 500 thousand units in 2011. Also, Opel Astra sold over 300 thousands units in Europe. The Renault Megane sold approximately 250 thousand units.
The German market Volkswagen Group dominated the segment with a 31% share, through 4 different models: other than the Volkswagen Golf, the Skoda Octavia, the Audi A3 and the Seat Leon.
| Model | 2011 Sales |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen Golf | 493.855 |
| Opel Astra | 327.458 |
| Ford Focus | 308.747 |
| Renault Megane | 251.487 |
| Skoda Octavia | 186.440 |
| Peugeot 308 | 155.227 |
| Audi A3 | 143.382 |
| BMW 1 Series | 135.087 |
| Citroen C4 | 113.379 |
| Hyundai i30 | 101.328 |
| Toyota Auris | 95.265 |
| Mercedes A-Class | 87.981 |
| Others C-segment | 619.751 |
| Model | 2012 Sales (up to April included) |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen Golf | 161.762 |
| Ford Focus | 99.655 |
| Opel Astra | 88.868 |
| Renault Megane | 68.224 |
| Skoda Octavia | 66.708 |
| BMW 1 Series | 50.831 |
| Peugeot 308 | 49.477 |
| Audi A3 | 46.996 |
| Citroen C4 | 38.024 |
| Hyundai i30 | 33.046 |
| Toyota Auris | 27.757 |
| Mercedes A-Class | 25.685 |
| Others C-segment | 178.762 |
References
- ^ "REGULATION (EEC) No 4064/89 - MERGER PROCEDURE" (PDF). Office for Official Publications of the European Communities L-2985 Luxembourg.
- ^ "Taking the 'Cheap' Out of the Small Car". The New York Times, September 9, 2012, Phil Patton.
- ^ "De buitenlandse verkoopcijfers". Auto Week.
- ^ "Europe Full Year 2011: Top 318 All models ranking now available!". Automotive News.