- The outline of car market segments in the USA is slightly different from that of Europe. First, the SUV (off-road leisure vehicles), CUV (crossover), MPV (minivans) and pick-up vans are included in the category of LCV (Long commercial vehicles) while in Europe only pick-up vans are included in the LCV segment which consists mainly of small vans.

- On the other hand, specific car market segments were created in the United States (small saloons, saloons, intermediate, full size and luxury) but they can be compared to European car market segments B, C, D, E, F.

- This enables us to compare the market segmentation of the U.S. and Europe, with one final clarification: Inovev includes CUV (crossover) in the SUV segment, because the distinction between SUV and CUV is difficult.

- In the United States, SUVs are far ahead of all other segments.  The market share went from 25% in 2000 to over 30% in 2013. Segment D (midsize sedan) is in second place and has also increased but more slowly than SUVs. Segment C (compact sedan) is third and has also progressed over the period. It overtook the market share of pickup vans, the pick-up van segment  is the segment that has declined the most.

- Segments E (full size) and MPV (minivans) have declined significantly since 2000 (a loss of 5 points for each segment) whereas segment share of cars long abandoned has resurfaced: segment B (semi-compact sedans) which gives a new vision of the needs of American driver (economical cars and small urban trips).

  

- European generalist brands are gradually abandoning segment D (upper midrange) that is becoming increasingly the signature of German manufacturers in the European market.

-Premium German manufacturers have indeed monopolized almost all of this segment thanks to the BMW 3 Series and 4 Series, Audi A4 and A5, Mercedes C Class and CLA, and also thanks to the Volkswagen Passat and CC . Not to mention the SUV market.

- On the graphs below, we can see that from one generation to the next segment D models from the Ford, Opel, Fiat, Peugeot, Citroen and Renault brands have seen their influence decline to finally account for (in Europe) only 430 000 units produced in 2012 and less than 410 000 in 2013 (against 1.2 million in 2000 and 1.85 million in 1990).

- French segment D models (Renault Laguna, Peugeot 508, Citroen C5), which now account for the high-end range of French cars, seem doomed in the short term. On the other hand it can still develop in China where segment D models are very popular and not just for the benefit of German brands. Japanese and Korean manufacturers achieved in fact in this market significant scores thanks to their segment D cars (sedans and SUV).

- Meanwhile Ford and Opel achieved a very modest score with the Mondeo and Insignia , both in Europe and China. Fiat abandoned this segment after the end of the Marea production in 2010.