{{Short description|Semi-formal European car size classification}} Excepting those of the Europe-wide safety assessment program Euro NCAP, vehicle segments in Europe do not have formal characterization or regulations.<ref name=m1406>{{cite web |title=Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 - Merger Procedure |publisher=Office for Official Publications of the European Communities L-2985 Luxembourg |url=http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/decisions/m1406_en.pdf |quote= exact market definition was left open .. boundaries between segments are blurred by factors other than the size or length of cars }}</ref> Although the definition is vague, there is little overlap between segments A–F based on weight and size parameters.<ref name=wtw>{{cite journal|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260912866 |title=Cost and well-to-wheel implications of the vehicle fleet CO2 emission regulation in the European Union |page=27+28 |author1=Christian Thiel |author2=Johannes Schmidt |author3=Arnold Van Zyl |author4=Erwin Schmid |journal= Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice|date=16 February 2014|volume=63 |accessdate=25 August 2016 |doi= 10.1016/j.tra.2014.02.018 |quote=There is no or very little overlap between the traditional segments A to F}}<!--diagram on https://i.imgsafe.org/f503e70144.png , where J/M/S is erased--> [https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Johannes_Schmidt2/publication/260912866_Cost_and_well-to-wheel_implications_of_the_vehicle_fleet_CO2_emission_regulation_in_the_European_Union/links/548844160cf289302e3082a2.pdf?origin=publication_detail PDF] [http://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC82175 EU headliner]</ref>
Models segments tend to be based on comparison to well-known brand models. For example, a car such as the Volkswagen Golf might be described as being in the Ford Focus size class, or vice versa. The VW Polo is smaller, so it belongs one segment below the Golf, while the bigger Passat is one segment above.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.autoindustriya.com/features/car-classes-simplified-the-euro-standard-car-segments.html |title=Car Classes Simplified: The Euro-standard Car Segments|work=AutoIndustriya.com |date=9 March 2016|accessdate=25 August 2016}}</ref>
The names of the segments were mentioned, but not defined, in 1999 in an EU document titled ''Case No COMP/M.1406 Hyundai / Kia Regulation (EEC) No 4064/89 Merger Procedure''.<ref name=m1406/>
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:Center;" |- ! Code ! Meaning !'''approx. length''' ! Example ! Equivalent categories ! Image |- | A | mini | {{cvt|2.7-3.7|m|ft|1}} | Fiat 500 | City<br>Minicompact (US)<br>A00-class (China) | 200px |- | B | small | {{cvt|3.7-4.2|m|ft|1}} | Toyota Yaris | Supermini (UK)<br>Subcompact (US)<br>A0-class (China) | 200x200px |- | C | medium | {{cvt|4.2-4.6|m|ft|1}} | Toyota Corolla | Small family/subcompact executive (UK)<br>Compact (US)<br>A-class (China) | 200px |- | D | large | {{cvt|4.6-4.8|m|ft|1}} | Opel Insignia | Large family/compact executive (UK)<br>Mid-size (US)<br>B-class (China) | 200px |- | E | executive | {{cvt|4.8-5.0|m|ft|1}} | BMW 5 Series | Executive (UK)<br>Full-size (US)<br>C-class/D-class (China) | 200px |- | F | luxury | {{cvt|5.1|m|ft|1}} and above | Mercedes-Benz S-Class | Luxury saloon (UK)<br>Full-size luxury (US)<br>Oberklasse (Germany) | 200px |- | J | sport utility | Follows A-F as JA-JF See also: Crossover (automobile) | Jeep Wrangler | | 200px |- | M | multi-purpose |Loosely follows B-F as Mini MPV, Compact MPV, Minivan | Volkswagen ID. Buzz | | 200px |- | S | sports | Usually D-F sized | Audi TT | | 200px |}
== See also == * Association of Car Rental Industry Systems Standards * Car body style * Car classification * Truck classification * Vehicle size class
== References == {{reflist|30em}} {{EC car classification}}
Category:Euro car segments