• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Auto Trends Magazine

Car reviews, industry news, & advice.

Archives for May 2010

Vehicle Segmentation…What Does It Mean?

May 30, 2010 by admin 1 Comment

The automotive industry continues to adjust to fluctuating market conditions and changing consumer demand.  Whereas in times past fickle consumers scotched the best laid plans of the automakers, namely building quality small cars, it appears that this time around consumer sentiment is embracing the trend toward more fuel efficient cars.

The Ford Fiesta has hit the market and soon the Chevrolet Cruze will be released; both cars are inexpensive and offer excellent fuel economy, but they occupy different segments of the industry and will, therefore appeal to slightly different buyers.

Have you heard of C-segment cars? If so, they’re compact models which include the Chevy Cruze. But there are other segments of cars on the market, so please read on for a primer for what each segment and their corresponding letters mean:

A Segment — The smallest models on the market, A-segment cars are city cars or called kei cars in places like Japan. The only model in this category sold in the United States is the Smart Fortwo. If you have a picture in your mind what the Smart car looks like, then you understand the segment.

B Segment – Until the Smart ForTwo showed up, B-segment models were the smallest car lines available. Most major foreign manufacturers sell cars in this segment which includes the Nissan Versa, Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, MINI Cooper and soon the Ford Fiesta. American manufacturers cannot afford to build these models in the US or Canada, needing cheaper labor to keep costs down. The Fiesta is built in Mexico while the imported Chevy Aveo comes from Korea.

C Segment – C as in compact. That’s easy to remember. Popular models include the Dodge Caliber, Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla, Kia Elantra, Honda Civic and Volkswagen Rabbit.

D Segment — What manufacturer doesn’t sell a D-segment as in midsize model? Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu, Buick Regal, Mercury Milan, Chrysler Sebring, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Volkswagen Jetta, Mercedes C-Class, Nissan Maxima, Subaru Legacy…the list goes on and includes a number of crossover models.

E Segment and F Segment — The differences between E-segment and F-segment cars is not always clear. In fact, both are for full-size models. E segment generally covers standard cars such as the Buick Lucerne, Dodge Charger and the Ford Crown Victoria or a smaller luxury model such as the BMW 5 Series, while F segment appears to be for large luxury cars such as the BMW 7 Series.

Additional segmentation includes S-segment for sports cars, M-segment for minivans such as the Dodge Grand Caravan, and J-segment for large SUVs. No letter designation is given for pickup up trucks, however.

So, when you hear B- or C-segment discussed over the coming months, then you’ll understand what all of the talk is about.

Resources

EPA.gov: Highest Fuel Economy by Vehicle Class: 2010 Model Year

MSN Autos: What the Heck is the B-Segment?

Photo courtesy of GM Corp.

Filed Under: Special Tagged With: Chevrolet, CHEVROLET CRUZE, CHEVY AVEO, Ford, FORD FIESTA, HONDA, SMART FORTWO, Toyota

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • The History of the Toyota Sequoia
  • Highlights of the 2020 Ford Ranger
  • The Statement-Making Lincoln Aviator
  • 5 Forgettable Cars From the 1980s
  • How to Jump-Start Your Car

Recent Comments

  • The History of the Toyota Sequoia — Auto Trends Magazine on Iconic SUV: 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser
  • The History of the Toyota Sequoia — Auto Trends Magazine on Grand SUV: Ford Expedition Platinum
  • The History of the Toyota Sequoia — Auto Trends Magazine on Premium, Full-size SUV: 2016 GMC Yukon
  • The History of the Toyota Sequoia — Auto Trends Magazine on 7 Facts About the 2020 Nissan Armada
  • Off-Road Adventuring With the 2019 Toyota 4Runner — Auto Trends Magazine on The History of the Toyota Sequoia

Archives

  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008

Categories

  • Auto Parts
  • Auto Shows
  • Automotive Career
  • Automotive News
  • Book Reviews
  • Car Tips
  • Classics & Discontinued Models
  • Commentary
  • Concept Vehicles
  • Dealers
  • Engineering & Technology
  • Fun News
  • Maintenance & Repairs
  • Motorsport
  • New Car Reviews
  • New Models
  • Ownership Experience
  • Product Reviews
  • Special
  • Specifications

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

New!
Check out our Jobs Board!

via GIPHY

Subscribe to Auto Trends

Subscribe in a reader

Social Media

Visit our social media pages:
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
Pinterest

Where is Matt Currently Published?

The Carolinian (new car reviews)
NAPA Know How Blog
On the Road Again

Pages

  • About
  • Automotive Brochures
  • Contact
  • Industry Jobs
  • Write
    • Style Guide

Categories

Recent Posts

  • The History of the Toyota Sequoia
  • Highlights of the 2020 Ford Ranger
  • The Statement-Making Lincoln Aviator
  • 5 Forgettable Cars From the 1980s
  • How to Jump-Start Your Car
  • 5 Forgettable Cars From the 1970s
  • Buying Guide: 2020 Kia Sedona
  • Buying Guide:
    2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  • Tiny or Small? Your Choice:
    Chevrolet Spark or Chevrolet Sonic.
  • 7 Facts About the 2020 Nissan Armada
  • Highlights of the 2020 Ford EcoSport
  • Hyundai’s 18K Venue SUV
  • Lexus GX:
    The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
  • Highlights of the
    2020 Nissan Rogue Sport
  • By the Inches:
    Chevrolet Tahoe v. Chevrolet Suburban
  • Up Next: Ford-Volkswagen Tie-up?
  • SUV Smackdown: Fiat 500L v. Fiat 500X
  • When is the Best Time to Buy a Car?
  • What Everyone Ought to Know About Selling a Car
  • Diminutive SUV: Hyundai Venue
  • Should I Buy a Lexus NX or a Lexus RX?
  • Rolling Classic: 2020 Dodge Charger
  • 10 Things We Like About the 2020 Subaru Legacy
  • Jeep Gladiator Fun Facts
  • Refreshed 2021 Chevrolet Colorado Breaks Cover
  • We Bid the Fourth-Generation Cadillac Escalade a Fond Farewell
  • What’s Next for the Subaru BRZ?
  • Highlights of the 2020 Toyota Sienna
  • How to Get the Most Auto Insurance Coverage for the Money
  • 4 Powertrains & the 2020 Ford Escape
  • The Refreshed 2020 BMW X1
  • Introducing the 2020 Chrysler Voyager
  • Cool Design: Hyundai Elantra Sport
  • Nissan Trucks: Moving Forward
  • The Incomparable Jeep Cherokee
  • By the Numbers: 2020 Honda Accord
  • Highlights of the 2020 Hyundai Accent
  • N Line Debut: 2019 Hyundai Elantra GT
  • At a Glance: 2020 Toyota Corolla Sedan
  • Highlights of the 2020 Kia Sedona
  • Introducing the All-New Cadillac CT4
  • Rivian Attracts Another Investor;
    More to Follow?
  • What You Must Do Following a Car Accident
  • Highlights of the 2020 Nissan Rogue
  • The Head-Turning, Attention-Getting Hyundai Palisade
  • The Innovative 2019 Audi Q8
  • About the 2020 Lincoln Aviator
  • How to Detail Your Car Like a Professional
  • Car Manufacturers: Who Owns What?
  • GM Diesel Pickup Fast Facts
May 2010
S M T W T F S
« Apr   Jun »
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031  

Copyright © 2019 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in