SMALL MPVs have confirmed their position as Europe's most successful segment in terms of new cars sales.

Sales across Western Europe of mini-MPVs were up by 32.3% to 687,054 units, research by information provider JATO shows.

They took an 8.6% share of the market, up from 6.7% during the same period last year. Sales of the Renault Grand Scenic, for example, were up by 41.2% The research shows that superminis remain the best-selling cars in Europe with a 30.7% share of the total market. Sales were up by 2.3% to 2.45 million units. The Peugeot 206, Renault Clio and Vauxhall/ Opel Corsa led the way in the supermini segment.

Overall, the Volkswagen Golf is crowned as Europe's best selling car during the first half of the year, selling 288,564 units, followed by the Peugeot 206 (286,291 units) and Peugeot 307 (254,844 units).

The Renault Clio was in fourth place with 220,918 units and the Renault Megane at fifth, having sold 220,490 units.

JATO researchers found that the upper-medium segment halted a recent decline in sales with a 2.1% rise in the month of June, compared to the same period last year, but year-to-date sales were down by 4.2%.

A JATO spokesman said: 'The top of the segment is stable with the Volkswagen Passat, Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall/Opel Vectra in the top three positions. The Toyota Avensis continues to impress with sales up 71% year-to-date following a good performance in the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain.'

Executive car sales increased in June by 2.3% but year-to-date increased by a small 0.12%. 'The Mercedes-Benz E-class continues to lead the sector with the second placed BMW 5-series rising by 67.3% year-to-date,' the spokesman added.