Wikipedia

B-segment

"Supermini" redirects here. For other uses, see Supermini (disambiguation).
See also: Subcompact car

The B-segment is the second smallest of the European segments for passenger cars between the A-segment and C-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 to JATO Dynamics.[4] B-segment cars include hatchback, saloon, estate, coupe/convertible, MPV, and crossover/SUV body styles.[5][6]

Ford Fiesta hatchback
Peugeot e-208 hatchback

Definition

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The 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]

The Euro NCAP vehicle class called "Supermini" also includes smaller A-segment cars 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 newspaper The 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 [de], 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

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The Autobianchi A112 has been regarded as the pioneer of supermini, predating the "B-segment" term.
 
1990–1998 Renault Clio I

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 influential Mini, 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 the Autobianchi A112, launched in 1969. It was later followed by the Fiat 127, Renault 5, VW Polo and Honda 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, Ford launched the Ford Fiesta which 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 formal car classification term,[16] eventually being adopted in European Commission classification as the B-segment.[7]

The 1990 Renault Clio and 1983 Fiat Uno were significant models in the supermini or the B-segment, being the recipients of the European Car of the Year award.[25][26] The Clio replaced the long-running Renault 5, although the latter remained in production until 1996.[27] In 1993, the Nissan Micra (K11), became the first Japanese car company to be receive the European Car of the Year award.[28] In 1999, the Toyota Yaris received 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 the Opel 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 the Toyota Corolla at 906,953 sales.[31]

Safety and performance

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Safety 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 the European Union and 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, and power-to-weight ratio has increased by 15 percent.[33]

Body styles

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Hatchback 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 MCV and Škoda Fabia Combi[37]), and coupe/convertible (example: Mini Cooper Cabrio/Convertible).[34]

Hot hatch

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See also: Hot hatch
 
Volkswagen Polo GTI
 
Toyota GR Yaris

Performance-oriented versions of B-segment hatchbacks were developed and sold as a more expensive offering. Examples include the Ford Fiesta ST, Hyundai i20 N, Peugeot 208 GTi, Suzuki Swift Sport, Toyota GR Yaris, Volkswagen Polo GTI, among others.[38][39]

MPV/minivan

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Main article: Mini MPV
 
Fiat 500L (2012–present)
 
Opel Meriva (2003–2017)

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 the Citroën C3 Picasso, Fiat 500L, and Ford B-Max.[40]

Crossover/SUV

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Main articles: Subcompact crossover SUV and Mini SUV
 
Ford EcoSport
 
Audi Q2[41]

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

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The Renault Zoe is one of the first mass-market B-segment electric cars in Europe.[48]

One of the first mass-market electric B-segment cars in Europe was the Renault 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 PSA introduced the Peugeot e-208 and Opel Corsa-e in 2019,[52] while Honda followed with the low-volume Honda e,[53] and Mini with their Mini Electric.[54]

Equivalents

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The B-segment is considered as the European equivalent to the subcompact category widely known in North America, the A0-class in China, and the supermini category for B-segment hatchbacks in Great Britain.[55][8][56]

List of vehicles

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Supermini cars and Subcompact cars.

Category:Subcompact cars ( 306 )

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "European vehicle categories". eafo.eu. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  2. ^ "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
  3. ^ "Impact on the Competitiveness of the European Automotive Industry of Potential FTA with India and ASEAN" (PDF). europa.eu. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 April 2013.
  4. ^ Motionlab Marketing (9 March 2020). "13% of total new car registrations in Europe made up by EVs in January 2020". JATO. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  5. ^ King, Nicholas (21 December 2020). "Best of 2020: B-Segment". New Straits Times. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  6. ^ "My segmentation". Fiat Group World. 21 October 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  7. ^ a b "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
  8. ^ a b Jacobs, Andrew James (2016). The new domestic automakers in the United States and Canada: history, impacts, and prospects. Lexington Books. p. 33. ISBN 978-0-7391-8826-2. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  9. ^ a b c Felipe, Munoz (15 May 2012). "Learning about cars: the 'B' segment". Fiat Group World. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  10. ^ Meadows, Jordan (2017). Vehicle Design: aesthetic principles in transportation design. Routledge. pp. 39–40. ISBN 978-1-138-68560-4. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  11. ^ "Latest Safety Ratings". euroncap.com. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  12. ^ "What is a supermini?". Parkers. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ Waymark, Peter (5 May 1977). "Motoring". The Times. p. 33. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  15. ^ "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.
  16. ^ a b Mann, D (1999). "Car definitions and forecast methodology". Automotive Plastics & Composites – Worldwide Markets & Trends to 2007. Elsevier. p. 176. ISBN 978-0-08-052774-1. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  17. ^ European Motor Business. (Economist Intelligence Unit)(whole issue no 4–7)   1986.
  18. ^ "Fahrzeugklassen – IPEK-Glossar". ipek.kit.edu. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  19. ^ "Kleinwagen 2021/2022: Marktübersicht mit Daten und Preisen" [Small cars 2021/2022: market overview with dates and prices]. Motor1.com (in German). Archived from the original on 21 April 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  20. ^ "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. Archived from the original on 11 January 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ "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.
  23. ^ a b "The Rise of the Superminis". Hagerty UK. 4 March 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  24. ^ Stone, Matt (28 May 2020). "Ford Fiesta USA 1976-2019: Now Gone But Not Forgotten By Enthusiasts". Ford Performance. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  25. ^ "Review of the Clio story for the launch of Clio V - Renault Group". renaultgroup.com. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  26. ^ "Fiat Uno". autozine.org. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  27. ^ "25 years of the Renault Clio - picture special". Autocar. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  28. ^ Koch, Jeff. "European Car of the Year 1993: Nissan Scores a First". Hemmings. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  29. ^ Burt, Matt (16 April 2020). "How the original Yaris was a game-changer in 1999". Toyota UK Magazine. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  30. ^ "Opel/Vauxhall Corsa European sales figures". carsalesbase.com. 29 January 2014. Archived from the original on 28 June 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  31. ^ Gasnier, Matt (16 January 1999). "World 1998: GM Corsa the best-selling car in the world". Best Selling Cars Blog. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  32. ^ "Effect of regulations and standards on vehicle prices" (PDF). European Union (pdf). p. 40. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 April 2019.
  33. ^ "Effect of regulations and standards on vehicle prices" (PDF). European Union (pdf). p. 37. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 April 2019.
  34. ^ a b c d Felipe, Munoz (8 July 2020). "These were the top-selling cars in 2019. Ram 1500 was 12th". Fiat Group World. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  35. ^ Motionlab Marketing (22 June 2017). "Europe says goodbye to 3-door Hatchs". JATO. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  36. ^ Radu, Mihnea (16 April 2018). "Peugeot 208 3-Door to Be Discontinued Soon, Just Like the Rest of Its Rivals". autoevolution. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  37. ^ "20 years of the Škoda Fabia Combi: A real success story". Škoda Storyboard. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  38. ^ Tudor-Lane, Adam (9 June 2016). "Why a hot hatch is the perfect all-round car". Carwitter. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  39. ^ "The Top 10 Best Hot Hatches In 2021 (And The Ones That Don't Quite Cut It)". Car Throttle. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  40. ^ a b Felipe (17 September 2012). "Learning about cars: the 'B-MPV' Segment". Fiat Group World. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  41. ^ Motionlab Marketing (1 March 2016). "Audi Q2 is here to shake B-SUV segment". JATO. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  42. ^ "Top 10 best small SUVs 2020". Autocar. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  43. ^ "B-SUV Archives". JATO. Archived from the original on 21 September 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  44. ^ "A-SUVs are coming". JATO. 11 June 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  45. ^ "Prepare for the mini-SUV invasion..." Top Gear. 24 April 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
  46. ^ "Nissan Juke 1.5dCi Tekna Review". Autocar. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  47. ^ "SUV-B segment to drive crossover growth in Europe". IHS Markit. 29 January 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  48. ^ "These are all the electric cars eligible for the UK's £2,500 plug-in car grant". Driving.co.uk. 8 April 2021. Archived from the original on 27 March 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021. the Zoe (the tiny Twizy isn't technically a car, after all) was one of the first electric superminis on the block,
  49. ^ Cobb, Jeff (1 August 2016). "Renault Zoe and BMW i3 Join The 50,000 Sales Club". HybridCars.com. Retrieved 1 August 2016. As of June 2016, 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).
  50. ^ Cobb, Jeff (31 January 2017). "Tesla Model S Is World's Best-Selling Plug-in Car For Second Year in a Row". HybridCars.com. Retrieved 4 February 2017. See also detailed 2016 sales and cumulative global sales in the two graphs.
  51. ^ "Ventes Mensuelles - Statistiques commerciales mensuelles du groupe Renault" [Monthly Sales - Monthly sales statistics of the Renault Group]. Renault.com (in French). April 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020. 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.
  52. ^ "Renault ZOE Vs Peugeot e-208 Vs Opel Corsa-e: Compared". InsideEVs. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  53. ^ "Honda e all-electric supermini: UK pricing starts from £26k". Carbuyer. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  54. ^ "Electric supermini shoot-out: Mini Electric vs two rivals". Autocar. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  55. ^ "Motor Industry Facts 2013" (PDF). The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. 2013. p. 28. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  56. ^ Maxton, Graeme P.; Wormald, John (2004). Time for a Model Change: Re-engineering the Global Automotive Industry. Cambridge University Press. p. 17. ISBN 978-0-521-83715-6. Retrieved 19 July 2017. B-segment cars.
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