Thursday, January 11, 2018

2017 Subcompact Sales Summary

2017 Kia Soul

Here's 2017's subcompact/small car sales info. There were a lot of big drops in sales vs. 2016, likely due to low fuel prices as well as a strong economy. And while both of those things are good for the U.S., they're not good for small car sales.

Biggest Gains and Losses in 2017

Fiat 124 Spider

The two biggest gains were from cars made by Mazda, but sold as other brands. The Fiat Spider (a Mazda Miata chassis) was up 81% vs. '16. The Toyota Yaris iA (essentially a Mazda2 sedan) was up 27.7%. Rounding out the top five was the MINI Cooper Convertible up 20.7%, an actual Mazda MX-5 Miata, up 19.3%, and the MINI Countryman up 17%.

Hyundai Veloster Turbo

The biggest falls from grace were the Hyundai Veloster (-57.9%), the Smart Fortwo (-50.6%), the Nissan Juke (-48.1%), the Fiat 500L (-47.0%), and the Chevrolet Sonic (-45.2%).

Make/Model
% Change '16 vs. '17
Units 2017
Fiat Spider 81.0 4478
Toyota Yaris iA 27.7 35727
MINI Cooper /S Convertible 20.7 5512
Mazda MX-5 Miata 19.3 11294
MINI Countryman 17.0 14864
Honda HR-V 14.6 94034
Buick Encore 12.1 88035
Mitsubishi Mirage 0.7 22386
Chevrolet Trax 0.3 79289
MINI Cooper /S Hardtop 2 Dr -0.3 11257
Toyota Prius c -0.4 12415
Jeep Renegade -3.0 103434
Ford Fiesta -5.2 46249
Mazda CX-3 -11.9 16355
Honda Fit -12.7 49454
BMW i3 -17.7 6276
Fiat 500 -18.0 12685
Nissan Versa -19.2 106772
Toyota Yaris Liftback -20.2 8653
Kia Soul -20.6 115712
Hyundai Accent -26.0 58955
MINI Cooper /S Hardtop 4 Dr -30.9 7724
Fiat 500X -35.0 7665
Chevroelt Spark -36.4 22589
MINI Cooper /S Clubman -36.6 7739
Kia Rio -41.6 16760
Chevrolet Sonic -45.2 30290
Fiat 500L -47.0 1664
Nissan Juke -48.1 10157
Smart -50.6 3071
Hyundai Veloster -57.9 12658
Toyota CH-R NA 25755
Chevrolet Bolt NA 23297

Units Sold in 2017

2017 Kia Soul Turbo

As for total units sold, that's a different story. The annual battle between Kia and Nissan was won by the Soul, which sold 115,712 units; the Versa sold 106,772 units, respectively. A close third was Jeep's Renegade crossover with 103,434 sold, the Fit-based Honda HR-V came in forth with 94,034 units, and Buick's encore crossover sold a healthy 88,035 cars.

Fiat 500L Trekking

At the bottom of the pile was Fiat's 500L with a paltry 1,664 units sold (I actually had to double-check that number to make sure it wasn't the monthly figure), the Smart Fortwo with just 3,071 units moved, Fiat's Spider with 4,478 cars sold, the MINI Cooper Convertible with 5,512 units sold, and finally the electrified BMW i3 with 6,276 cars rolling off of lots. 

Make/Model
% Change '16 vs. '17   
Units 2017
Kia Soul -20.6 115712
Nissan Versa -19.2 106772
Jeep Renegade -3.0 103434
Honda HR-V 14.6 94034
Buick Encore 12.1 88035
Chevrolet Trax 0.3 79289
Hyundai Accent -26.0 58955
Honda Fit -12.7 49454
Ford Fiesta -5.2 46249
Toyota Yaris iA 27.7 35727
Chevrolet Sonic -45.2 30290
Toyota CH-R NA 25,755
Chevrolet Bolt NA 23297
Chevroelt Spark -36.4 22589
Mitsubishi Mirage 0.7 22386
Kia Rio -41.6 16760
Mazda CX-3 -11.9 16355
MINI Countryman 17.0 14864
Fiat 500 -18.0 12685
Hyundai Veloster -57.9 12658
Toyota Prius c -0.4 12415
Mazda MX-5 Miata 19.3 11294
MINI Cooper /S Hardtop 2 Dr -0.3 11257
Nissan Juke -48.1 10157
Toyota Yaris Liftback -20.2 8653
MINI Cooper /S Clubman -36.6 7739
MINI Cooper /S Hardtop 4 Dr -30.9 7724
Fiat 500X -35.0 7665
BMW i3 -17.7 6276
MINI Cooper /S Convertible 20.7 5512
Fiat Spider 81.0 4478
Smart -50.6 3071
Fiat 500L -47.0 1664

The bottom line is subcompact sales are mostly slow. Of the 31 cars listed here (not including new-for-2017 models), only nine of them had increases in sales over last year, or roughly 1/3 of the list. And remember, several of these vehicles, including the Ford Fiesta and Nissan Juke, are not returning for 2018. Will other models drop off? We'll see.

3 comments:

nlpnt said...

- I wouldn't mind seeing Toyota replace the Yaris Liftback with a version of the Mazda 2, even with the iA's ugly mug. It might give me a reason to upgrade from my old '08.

- Per Ford's website, the Fiesta seems to have had a stay of execution as you can build-and-price a (carryover) '18.

Unknown said...

I just got intersted in subcompacts since my wife recently bought a 3 yr old Fiat 500. I was really impressed how cheaply one can get one of these, and since we have a pickup truck, a small car is all we need. I've been looking at the Spark and the Mirage, because the Fiat is a 2 door and since our truck is also a 2 door, we'll need a 4 door for pets and such. It was good to see that Mirage sales was pretty flat and higher ranked than I would have thought. Anyway, with a Spark, I'd need a 2016 and up, because it was significantly improved. With respect to a Morage, it'd have to be a 2017, because reviewers say it handles much better and mine will be a rural, state highway commuter; not a city car. I'm thinking I need another year to pay off the Fiat, sell a mid- sized sedan, and for a 2017 Mirage or 2016 Spark to get a little cheaper. Mine must be a 5 speed and they're pretty rare, but can be found. I really think the 78 horsepower Mirage may be my best choice. Owners love them, a little bigger than the Spark,better mpg, and it'd have more warranty left. I also like the idea of having a 3 cylinder and a 2,000 pound car.

Unknown said...

GM and Ford just announced that they'll soon cancel US sales of their subcompact. That'd be Spark, Sonic, and Fiesta I guess. Odd, because I see late model Sparks all over the place in my nearby 4,000 population town. I bet there are at least twenty of them being driven around local. Very common vehicle where I live.