Sedan sales slump in Europe as crossovers catch buyers' eyes

DaimlerChrysler may be a little out of step with the European market, launching its D-segment Chrysler Sebring in Europe just as the D-segment is facing an exodus of buyers. According to The Car Connection, mid-sized sedan sales in Western Europe are slumping as buyers are drawn to more versatile alternatives, particularly compact MPVs and crossover SUVs.

The Western Europe market share for sedans and hatchbacks stood at 80 percent in 1990, but by last year it had fallen to just 55 percent. In Britain, the trend is even more striking with sedan sales in the first nine months of 2006 down nearly 31 percent from the same period last year.

How bad is it? TCC reports that Nissan, which has stopped production of the D-segment Primera sedan (pictured) for the U.K. market, may not bother replacing it with a new model, steering buyers to its crossovers - the Qashqai, X-trail and Murano.

[Source: TheCarConnection.com]