Europe has been imposing for years increasingly restrictive standards for manufacturers, forcing them to adhere to thresholds that are becoming increasingly difficult to meet. And this is even more true for small cars, which are supposed to require less technological investment for brands. Indeed, the limit values ​​of CO2 for the future Euro 7 standard can only be achieved with expensive emission control and fuel economy technologies. If nothing changes, then the cheapest city cars probably living the last minutes…

Small city cars are in trouble

If in the early 1990s small city cars were on the rise, today the situation is definitely not the same. Microcity models such as Peugeot 108there Citroen C1 or Ford Ka for example, are no longer available to order. To survive, builders molt urban mini crossovers. This is especially true Ford Ka+ or evenIago Cross proposed Toyota. Others forgo thermal versions in favor of electric ones, such as Fiat 500e for the Turin manufacturer.

The upcoming Euro-7 standard will change the situation

But with the Euro-7 standard, which should enter into force by 2025, everything will become more difficult for manufacturers. More and more brands are removing their smaller cars from their portfolio. Because to achieve new threshold values ​​of CO2 emissions, the investment will be too large. They are set at 60 mg per kilometer for all light vehicles leaving the factories from 1^Er July 2025 in Europe.

In order to meet the tough targets set by the legislators, car manufacturers will have to make (too) big investments. If the task will be less restrictive for small SUVs, then micro-city cars, on the other hand, which are attractive only at low prices, is likely to be neglected. For what ? With these models offering manufacturers only a very low margin, one might question whether the investment is worth it.

An additional €5,000 for the future Euro 7 compliant Polo

The current CEO of Volkswagen, Thomas Schaefer, gave an answer to a German specialized magazine Kfz Betrieb. Taking the example of Polo, he estimated his new price by taking into account the additional costs of developing an engine compatible with Euro 7. On average, it will be necessary to add €5,000! Available today from €20,640, so it could top €25,000 in this case. The price is largely prohibitive for the segment. The same applies Pity Fabiathe younger sister from the VW group, the price of which starts in France from 18,170 euros.

In an article in the German press, Klaus Zellmer, the CEO of Skoda, claims that due to the additional costs, it is possible that the Fabia will be discontinued if the Euro-7 standard, as is currently being discussed, will see the light of day.

Things also look bad for the smaller cars in the group. there Pity Citigo AND Seat Mii for example, you can no longer order. And from 2025, the Volkswagen Up should no longer be available to make way forID.2, so the concept was presented last week!