Already experiencing slow sales pre-pandemic, the coronavirus may spell the end for MPVs. More and more carmakers are starting to drop family-oriented MPVs in favor of SUVs and crossovers. The latest one to join the trend? Renault.
Reports coming out of Europe suggest that the French carmaker will discontinue both the Espace large MPV and the Scenic compact MPV. They are also set to bow out of the large sedan market as well. The move coincides with Renault’s plan to trim their line-up in order to save cash.
MPV sales have dropped significantly over the past few years as carmakers turn their focus on SUVs and crossovers. In 2019, global sales of SUVs outpaced MPVs by almost 8 times. This is compared to an almost two-to-one ratio in 2009, in favor of MPVs. In 2019, 36.4 percent of all cars sold worldwide were SUVs, compared to just 7.3 percent being MPVs.
The trend is also very clear in the Philippines where SUVs or crossover-styled 7-seaters have become favored versus their MPV counterparts (Fortuner vs Innova, BR-V vs Mobilio).
Industry analysts predict that small and large MPVs might disappear in most carmaker’s product portfolios with medium-sized MPVs staying on.
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