The top sellers: how the models compete in their segments – from small van to large pickup
SMALL VANS
THE biggest single LCV segment is also the hardest fought – the Small Vans sector commands around 30pc of the Irish market at the moment and sales are strong.
This is where Volkswagen has for a long time managed to smile in Ireland, with the almost-iconic Caddy (618) leading the field again.
Arch-rival Ford follows strongly with the Transit Connect (462), and all-but-twins Citroen Berlingo (431) and Peugeot Partner (416) both effectively fending off Renault’s Kangoo (219).
The remaining brands selling were in low figures, with Nissan’s NV200, Ford’s Transit Courier, Opel’s Combo and Fiat’s Doblo making up the rest of sales.
MEDIUM VANS
Although having less than a fifth share of the overall LCV business, the Medium Vans segment is an important part of the Irish goods transportation scene, and extremely competitive.
Main players for 2017 so far are Renault’s Trafic (338), ahead of Volkswagen’s Transporter (278), Opel’s Vivaro (247) – all three solidly away from the pack led by Nissan’s NV300, Peugeot’s Expert and Mercedes-Benz Vito.
The remaining runners here are the Toyota Proace, the Citroen Dispatch, the new on the market last year LDV V80, and Fiat’s Scudo.
LARGE VANS
A quarter of all LCV sales are in the Large Van segment. This is where Ford always scores high, with the Transit registering 1,058 year to date, for instance, of which roughly half are the smaller Transit Custom.
Renault is next with its Master (311), followed by the MercedesBenz Sprinter (201) and Nissan’s NV400, and then Volkswagen’s Crafter.
Fiat will have been reasonably comfortable with the sales of its Ducato, as will Opel with the Movano.
The Nissan and the Opel are shared productions with Renault’s Master, the French company clearly enjoying a significant sales advantage.
The Ducato is a shared operation with the PSA group, which also produces its companion Peugeot Boxer and Citroen Relay.
Iveco’s Daily so far is only hitting the outer rings of the Large Van target.
LIGHT TRUCKS
Only two players are currently active in the tiny Light Truck market in Ireland; Isuzu with its N Series and Mitsubishi with its Canter.
CAR-DERIVED VANS
It’s only a tiny part of the LCV business, at 4.7pc of the total sales, but the Car Derived Vans segment is still worth targeting for a few key makers.
Volkswagen is far ahead in the game here, with the Golf (180) CDV leading from Toyota’s Auris (105) and Ford’s Focus (34). And with the Fiesta selling too, the blue oval as a brand is strong. Others in the segment include SEAT’s Ibiza, Hyundai’s i30 and Opel’s Corsa.
PICK-UPS
Small in share of the LCV market at 6pc and in numbers registered, the segment is nevertheless a profit centre for the six brands already in competition.
The business is currently dominated by Toyota’s Hilux (154) and Ford’s Ranger (148), both new in 2016, from Nissan’s Navara (91) and Mitsubishi’s L200. The sales of both the Isuzu D-MAX and VW Amarok are likely to have disappointed both brands’ operations here.
SUV COMMERCIALS
Because they are used a lot in the professional areas related to construction, the SUV Commercial segment is almost a halo for the key manufacturers. But it also makes them a lot of money, so a good share is worth chasing, as is shown by the sheer number of models on the scene.
The perennial top seller is Toyota’s Land Cruiser (472) and the reason why the brand is in such a strong place on the overall LCV ladder. The large model remains on top, a long way ahead of VW’s Touareg and Mitsubishi’s Pajero, and Land Rover’s Discovery.
In the medium SUVs, Ford’s Kuga (177) reigns, from Hyundai’s Tucson, Mitsubishi’s Outlander, Nissan’s Qashqai and X-Trail, and Kia’s Sportage.
Dacia’s Duster is effectively the only runner in the small SUV Commercial segment at the moment, with Opel’s Mokka just about there.
Apart from the big hitters, there’s a valid reason for the medium and smaller segments not to be strongly represented, as conversions at factory or by third parties are expensive, and there’s more money to be made by not competing in the commercials arena.