Nissan Qashqai, Audi Q3 lead continued sales surge for SUVs in Europe

SUVs and crossovers benefited most from Europe's better-than-expected sales surge last year. Combined sales of models including the Renault Captur, Nissan Qashqai, Audi Q3 and even the aging Volvo XC60 increased 22 percent to 3.05 million units, according to data from JATO Dynamics. That rise easily outpaced the overall market's 8.1 percent increase to 13.7 million. SUVs and crossovers accounted for 22 percent of all European passenger vehicle sales last year, up from 20 percent in 2014 and 17 percent in 2013.