A new car for 10,000 euros, will it come back?

Cheap new car for about 10,000 euros

A Toyota Aygo for 10,550 euros, a Peugeot 108 for 10,945 euros, a Hyundai i10 for 10,995 euros, in 2018 these were perfectly normal prices. But as the government taxes the CO2 emissions of an internal combustion engine car more and more strictly, prices have soared. The cheap new car doesn’t really exist anymore. The same Hyundai i10, for example, already costs 15,595 euros. The Peugeot 108 even left the A segment because earning a car in the A segment has become extremely difficult.

Leavers from the A segment

Peugeot is not the only one to have abandoned the A-segment. The combination of stricter European Union emissions regulations and profit margins that are too small calls into question the survival of the A-segment. The Peugeot 108, Citroën C1, Skoda Citigo, Seat Mii, Ford Ka+, Opel Karl and Suzuki Celerio have all disappeared from the A-segment.

This is still for sale

You can still buy a Volkswagen Up, Dacia Sandero, Renault Twingo E-Tech Electric, Mitsubishi Space Star, Suzuki Ignis, Kia Picanto, Hyundai i10, Fiat 500 and Toyota Aygo X. But for about 10,000 euros, that’s not going to work anymore. Count on a minimum of thick 15,000 euros. The Dacia Sandero (€15,550) and Mitsubishi Space Star (€15,490) are by far the most economical choices. The persistently popular Kia Picanto starts as low as 16,495 euros in the Netherlands.

20,000 euros for car in A-segment? Peanuts!

Please note that the prices we mention in this article are the base prices. Comprehensive infotainment is not to be expected then. For options, you may pay extra. An amount of 20,000 euros is nothing for a car in the A segment. It is the most normal thing in the world these days. It is mainly due to taxes that have caused prices to rise sharply, although manufacturers also note that raw materials have become more expensive. Moreover, a car – regardless of the segment – is required to have more and more safety systems. That drives up the price. Yet most of the increased prices are a result of tighter taxes. The buyer bears the brunt of this. Who ultimately pays the bill.

The 10,000 euro car

OK, so the new passenger car for 10,000 euros is really a thing of the past? Unfortunately, yes, but car manufacturers are exploring alternatives to the car. The moped – preferred by automakers to be called a citycar – is on the rise. These may only go 45 km/h, but you are dry. And you have new wheels for 10,000 euros, think of the Opel Rocks-e. But even in the citycar segment, you may reach for the wallet. Because just look at the following prices. The Opel Rocks-e starts at 8,499 euros, the Carver costs 10,990 euros, a Biro Winter you have from 13,495 euros and for an Eli Zero you pay as little as 16,990 euros. What about the legendary Canta? It costs 17,995 euros. You have an A-segment car for that these days, too.