What Cars We Were Driving Ten Years Ago (2014 vs 2024)

The evolution of the European car market is quite remarkable. Europe has traditionally been the land of small cars. The lack of space, tiny streets and parking lots and the high cost of petrol have forced motorists to buy small and frugal cars. That is why they have been very popular the first generation of the Volkswagen Beetle (1938-2003), the first Mini (1959-2000), the first Fiat 500 (1957-1975), the Renault 4 (1961-1992) and the Citroen 2CV (1948-1990).

Technology, regulations and rising incomes brought new trends to the industry. The classic small cars were soon joined by larger sedans, practical wagons and boxy off-roaders. Then, at late 90sit was the turn of SUVs.

Today there are clear preferences in terms of body type and models. But what was the situation like? ten years ago (first half of 2014)?

2014: SUVs on the rise

Ten years ago a clear trend emerged. I SUV became the second most popular body type, again behind small cars. Their market share was 19.2%, at the expense of a smaller number of MPVs (11.9%) and especially sedans (5.1%). In fact, station wagons had already overtaken MPVs and sedans, with a market share of 12.3%.

At that point, the Volkswagen Group has become the absolute master in Europe. Its market share has reached 25%, more than PSA (11.1%), Renault Group (9.7%), Ford (7.5%), General Motors (Opel/Vauxhall; 7.4%) and FCA (6.1%). Meanwhile, premium carmakers have started to gain ground. BMW Group It took seventh place (today it is in sixth place) while Mercedes-Benz placed ninth in the group rankings (today it is seventh in Europe).

Car Groups Ranking, H1 2014 vs 2024

At the brand level, Volkswagen has established itself in the lead, followed not by Toyota as today, but by Ford! The American brand sold over 514,000 units in the first half of 2014, compared to only 243,400 units in the period January-June 2024.

The same decline was recorded by Opel/Vauxhall, in third place in 2014 (13th in 2024), Renault and Peugeot. Citroen and Fiat were part of the Top Ten, but are now out, as Toyota, Dacia and Skoda have taken their place. Ten years ago Tesla registered 5,631 new cars in Europe, while MG registered 1,206 units. Today their volume has increased 29 and 106 times respectively.

Car Brands Ranking, H1 2014 vs 2024

In this first half of the year, the Volkswagen Golf was already in the lead, followed by the Ford Fiesta, Renault Clio, Volkswagen Polo and Opel/Vauxhall Corsa. Two new entries are worth mentioning: premium brands started to grow rapidly, with the Audi A3 in ninth place; and SUVs were adequately represented by the second generation Nissan Qashqai. In fact, it was the first generation of Qashqai (2006-2013), the model that opened the doors to the SUV boom that has not yet stopped.

It is interesting to note, finally, that of the ten best-selling models in the first half of 2014only four have maintained their position in this key ranking: the Golf, the Clio, the 208 and the Octavia. In contrast, the Corsa, Qashqai, Audi A3, Polo and Focus have lost a lot of ground. The best-selling cars in Europe in 2024, however, were the Dacia Sandero, followed by the Volkswagen Golf and Renault Clio.

Best Selling Cars in Europe, H1 2014 vs 2024

* Registrations in Europe-28

The author of the article, Felipe Munoz, is Automotive Industry Specialist at JATO Dynamics.