City car
A microcar is an infra still below the subcompact car class of vehicle. The Federal Motor Transport Authority referred to passenger cars, which classifies it below the size of small cars, as minis. Very similar vehicles, but with an exact limit of dimensions and performance, refer to the Japanese Kei - cars, which are favored there for tax purposes. Microcars have as well as the small car at an affordable new price, have in contrast to these, however, only through a restricted space and boot capacity, which is usually not sufficient for universal transportation of four persons. The engine power of today's micro-car, however, is larger than those of previous small cars. The original price of the microcar is usually 9000-14000 €.
History
Microcars as a separate class of vehicle were defined in the early 1990s, and it has also previously been given vehicles of this size (eg, Fiat, Honda and others). The micro car aimed at those individuals who are looking for a cheap vehicle for shorter and medium distances, which need not be not be suitable for travel and family. There are now within the category of micro cars turn different orientations of the size.
The Roller Mobile of European post-war period should also be allocated from today's perspective, the micro-car, but were referred to in the former West Germany than small cars. In the GDR, however, one said to the scooter cars and other mini - cars already at the time of microcars, and bordered them as now usual, the full-fledged small car from.
Subcompact cars on the market
Aston Martin
The British sports car manufacturer Aston Martin has since 2011 with the Cygnet a small car based on the Toyota iQ in the offer. The car is visually adapted to the design of Aston Martin and was also equipped in the interior with a higher-quality interior. A side effect of the introduction is now significantly reduced the fleet consumption. With a list price of € 37,995, the smallest model of Aston Martin is priced significantly higher than the other models in its segment.
Chevrolet
Chevrolet has a real small car Chevrolet Spark produced in South Korea in the offer.
Daihatsu
The Japanese manufacturer Daihatsu had downright specializing in small and micro cars. Also offered is the only manufacturer Daihatsu "real" Kei -Cars in Germany, albeit with a larger engine. In Germany Daihatsu was last present with the "normal " micro-car Cuore, a few years before even with the micro - coupe Copenhagen and designed in retro design Trevis. On January 31, 2013 Daihatsu introduced the new car sales in Europe.
Daimler AG
Under the brand name Smart ( 1998, model change 2007) Daimler offers the shortest of microcars in Germany. The Smart Fortwo is a two seater with almost 2.7 meters in length. Due to its large width of the vehicle in Japan is not considered a kei car, there was this from the first generation of a slightly modified version.
Fiat
Fiat as a micro car offers the retro car Fiat 500 and the Fiat Panda, but both are significantly larger than the up in the 90s built small rear-engine models and the first generation of the Panda, who then was still considered small cars.
Ford
The Ford Ka from 1996 offered the first generation was before his replacement one of the oldest small car on the German market. The second generation model ( technically related to the Fiat 500) since February 2009, available in Germany.
Honda
The Honda Life is not offered in Europe, but is more like a Microvan.
Hyundai / Kia
Both brands offer the 2008 entered the market, Hyundai i10 and the Kia Picanto, which appeared in 2011 in the second generation, independently developed at the microcar.
Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi electric car Mitsubishi i -MiEV in this class. In Japan, the Mitsubishi i with a combustion engine.
Opel
Because of its length partly also the Opel Agila (identical Suzuki Splash ) referred to as mini-cars, Opel itself but calls him Microvan. Since 2013, Opel has, however, also a very small cars on offer, the Opel Adam.
PSA
Peugeot / Citroën has a very small cars since 2005, the Peugeot 107 and Citroën C1 in the offer. The vehicle is similar to the Toyota Aygo and with only about 3.43 meters for a five-door microcar relatively short. Rather was "normal" set of the 2010 Citroën C2. Even with PSA there with the Peugeot 1007 a Microvan.
Renault -Nissan
The Renault Twingo first generation was available as early as 1993. 2007 there was a model change. Nissan sends since mid-2009 the Pixo representing the smallest cars on the market. The vehicle is similar to the Suzuki Alto.
In 2012, a car is planned in direct competition with the Tata Nano in collaboration with Bajaj to be sold in emerging markets; the kolportierten prices range between $ 2000 and $ 3000.
Seat
After the Seat Arosa expired in 2004 without an heir, Seat produced since 2011, again a very small cars, the Seat Mii.
Škoda Auto
Škoda rose in 2011 for the first time in the micro -car segment. Is represented by Škoda Škoda Citigo.
Subaru
The models Subaru R1 and R2 are Kei cars, are not available in Europe.
Suzuki
In Japan, Suzuki offers a whole series of mini-cars on, in Europe at present only the Suzuki Alto and Suzuki Splash Microvan (identical: Opel Agila ).
Tata
The Indian manufacturer Tata Motors has introduced an extremely affordable vehicle for its home market with the Tata Nano, one only 3.10 meters long four-seater. The vehicle is, there is also omitted any safety devices, not without controversy. In order to allow exporting to EU directives, a fully modified version is planned with Driver and reinforced body for the European market.
Toyota
The Toyota Aygo is a joint development with PSA. The vehicle is - although originating from a Japanese manufacturer - too long as Kei -Car 1 cm. Since 24 January 2009, the 3 1 seater Toyota iQ is available on the German market.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen is in the category of micro cars since 1998 present, first with the VW Lupo, which was published a year after the identical Seat Arosa. The Lupo was a rather typical small car, its production was stopped due to high prices and low demand in 2005. Followed in 2005 by the very large for this class VW Fox, which also did not reach the VW usual numbers by far. Since 2011, the VW is up! produced.
Current Models
Citroën C-Zero
Chevrolet Spark
Fiat 500
Fiat Panda
Ford Ka
Hyundai i10
Kia Picanto
Mitsubishi i
Opel Adam
Opel Agila
Peugeot 107
Renault Twingo
Seat Mii
Škoda Citigo
Smart Fortwo
Suzuki Alto
Suzuki Splash
Toyota Aygo
VW up!
Registrations in Germany
For figures on annual new registrations of passenger cars Minis of the segment in Germany according to statistics from the Federal Motor Vehicle Office, see the list of registrations of new passenger cars in Germany by segment and model series # minis.