The SUV segment seems to be immune to crises. Sport Utility Vehicles continue to be the top choice for drivers across Europe, and automakers, aware of the profits generated by this type of vehicle, are constantly releasing new models or intriguing restyles to attract even those consumers who are still undecided. The sales numbers recorded in July in Europe once again confirm that SUVs are the driving force for manufacturers.
Percentages are on the rise compared to 2023
An analysis conducted by JATO has highlighted an undeniable fact. In the month of July 2024, 1.3 million cars were registered throughout Europe, an increase of 2% compared to the same period 12 months ago. However, it is impressive to discover how many SUVs were registered in July 2024: a whopping 54% of the total. Compared to July 2023, there was a 6% increase, with 554,000 new SUVs on European roads.
If we analyze the numbers from the beginning of the year until last July, we can see that the increase in SUV sales in Europe reached +5%, with a total of 4.2 million high-wheeled vehicles circulating on the roads of the Old Continent. Certainly, traditionalists may frown at these numbers, but it is undeniable that consumers have now shown the way to manufacturers.
If twenty years ago, minivans and station wagons were the most requested vehicles for those in need of ample space, today the market has decreed SUVs as the new vehicles suitable for these needs. Automakers have intercepted the tastes of the public fascinated by these high-seated vehicles and have offered SUVs in every flavor, predicting models in their price lists capable of replacing both the classic compact car and luxury vehicles.
Volkswagen T-Roc, the best-selling SUV in Europe
It is interesting to note that the leading automotive group in the SUV market in Europe is Volkswagen. The German giant has maintained the top spot in the rankings with a 26% share, followed by Hyundai-Kia with 12% and Stellantis with 11.5%. It is also worth noting that C-SUVs dominate the sales charts with a total of 216,000 units and a +3% compared to last year, while there has been a real sales boom for B-SUVs with a +14% and 204,300 units.
Beyond the names of the major groups and the percentages, it is interesting to understand which SUV was the best-selling in Europe in July, and this is a vehicle from the VW group. While the Dacia Sandero leads the chart with a total of 22,398 registrations, the Volkswagen T-Roc follows with 19,254 units sold. This data confirms how behind a well-appreciated compact car, there is space in the market for an SUV that seems to not suffer from the years on its shoulders.
Scrolling through the rankings, it can be seen that in third place is a particularly popular B-SUV like the Toyota Yaris Cross with 17,314 registrations, while behind the Japanese model, another Dacia, the Duster, surprises positively. The third generation of the Romanian SUV has won the hearts of 15,884 European drivers thanks to a very well-executed design and substantial features under the hood.
Reading these numbers and analyzing the data, it is clear what direction the market is heading in, much to the dismay of purists. European drivers increasingly want high-wheeled vehicles, with a seating position that dominates the road, interior space suitable for the needs of a modern family, and a look that not-so-subtly nods to off-road vehicles. All these demands are encapsulated in a package called SUV.