The Greek public prefers SUVs despite the extra cost

57.1% of the cars registered in Greece last month were SUVs, once again confirming the omnipotence of this category. Of course, this is not an exclusive phenomenon in our country, but it is a global event that was born as an idea in the USA and then became a point of reference for all car manufacturers.

According to official JATO data for 2020, the cost of acquiring an SUV in Europe is 59% higher than that of a hatchback. But this does not discourage consumers who want to spend more money to get a leisure car. Manufacturers in this category find the magic recipe for success and SUVs give super profits. By adjusting the electric drive, the surplus value of the companies increases, while at the same time they achieve their goals for reducing the emissions of pollutants. Drivers have at their disposal a higher driving position, large enough spaces and comfort, as well as opportunities to move on off-road routes.

If we look back, about two decades ago sales in this category held a meager percentage and no one could predict what would follow. From 2005 the category gradually increased its market share, reaching a percentage close to 5% pan-European, while over the next five years the percentage reached 10%. It was the time when the utopia of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) began, and by 2020 the category accounted for 45% of total sales.

However, one can not ignore the driving entity of a sedan, which for many decades was what dominated sales, offering space, comfort and performance.

In Greece, evaluating the recent rankings, we find that the favorite category remains the B SUV where it occupies 26.6% of total sales to be followed by the next category (C) with a percentage of 25.6%. In October 2021 there was an increase in the trend for the purchase of small category A vehicles, showing the willingness of many for comfortable travel within the city or even for the purchase of a second car purely for travel within the urban fabric. While the other categories in the general climate of the fall followed the same course, there was an increase in the category of large (premium) cars, showing that they have not been affected by the general climate of the pandemic and the long wait for car delivery compared to other categories are smaller.

Finally, the movement of cars with basic fuel gasoline and diesel (-5.6% and -10.1% respectively) remained declining, while sales of hybrid and electric cars increased significantly by 5.5% and 9, 8% respectively, indicating that turning to electric or low-emission vehicles has become an end in itself for most drivers. Sales of dual-fuel models have also increased, as there are companies that continue to invest in this technology, but also because in the climate of recent years drivers want lower travel costs.