D-segment sedan sales in Western Europe are on the slide as drivers opt for more practical and versatile crossover SUVs and minivans. But it's become so bad in the U.K. that one automaker is seriously considering not replacing its current model. Nissan has warned it might not bother to offer the next-generation Primera in Britain because it doesn't see the point. Instead customers will be directed to buy crossover SUVs such as the recently unveiled Qashqai, the X-trail, and the Murano.
A Nissan U.K. spokesman said: "Everyone knows the D-segment is shrinking. Whether we need to replace the Primera in the U.K. is still a moot point, but, yes, it's possible we might be the first volume manufacturer to ditch the D-segment saloon completely." He confirmed no more Primeras would be built for the U.K., and most of the remaining stock had been allocated.
The total Western European market for saloons and hatchbacks has declined from 10.4 million units in 1990 to just less than 8 million units last year. In the same period the total car market has grown from 13 million to 14.6 million units.
Britain is one of the major reasons why; in the first nine months of this year 318,000 sedans were sold, down from 459,000 shifted in the same period just two years ago. They're less popular because drivers are choosing more practical and versatile compact MPVs and SUVs. Customer demand for used versions means residual values are also higher than on sedans, again making them more popular.
The Primera is currently only selling a third of what it did in its heyday just a few years ago. The car is still a strong seller in places like Russia and Ireland so a replacement will be designed and built for those markets, sometime in the next two years
Read Article