Spate of new cars to hit the road in 2012

By Thomas Geiger Jan 11, 2012, 3:06 GMT

Berlin - Carmakers are hitting the market this year with a spate of new models, especially in the compact class where the best-selling seventh generation VW Golf will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October.

But already at the Geneva Motor Show in March several car producers will be revealing new models in the segment. Audi has announced a successor to the current A3. Seat is preparing a new Leon and Mercedes is planning an A-Class model aimed at the younger generation. Volvo is extending the C30 range with a four-door version that will either be called a C40 or V30.

South Korean producer Hyundai is working on a makeover of the i30, while Kia is building the next generation C'eed on the same platform. The only new Japanese car in the segment is the Subaru Impreza.

'The compact class was once the most important segment of the market but this is no longer the case,' says market analyst Nick Margetts from the Jato Dynamics institute. 'Much more can be expected from the small SUVs (sports utility vehicles) where more growth than in any other segment can be expected,' he predicts.

Mazda is joining the fray by launching with the CX-5, its first compact SUV. Honda and Ford are planning successor models to the CR-V and Kuga. Citroen and Peugeot are releasing their C4-Aircross and 4008 models based on the Mitsubishi ASX. Opel is also planning a small SUV based on the Corsa.

Much is also happening in the small car segment after the launch of the VW Up last year. The Seat Mii and Skoda Citigo, based on the Up, will be launched on European markets. Peugeot has announced for Geneva a new 208 and Mitsubishi is launching a new generation Colt. Renault is planning a new Clio for October.

In the premium class a Shooting Break or station-wagon version of the Mercedes CLS is expected. A larger Jaguar XF is also in the pipeline, while BMW has its new 6-Series Gran Coupe on the agenda.

In the sports car segment Toyota is launching the new Boxer-Coupe GT-86 and Subaru the similar BRZ. Porsche is bringing out a new Boxter, a new cabriolet version of the 911 and a new Cayman. Mercedes is working on the next generation SL.

Not much more is expected in the electric car segment this year. The Nissan Leaf is being launched on European markets after the Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera took to the showrooms last year.