SUV sales quadruple in Europe since 2005

Sales of SUVs have quadrupled in Europe since 2005 and are expected to keep rising thanks to growing popularity with an unusually diverse group of buyers, according to a survey.

Once the choice of ski buffs and outdoor enthusiasts, SUVs have been embraced by ‘modern mums’ (mothers with young kids), ‘millennials’ (17- to 34-years-olds) and ‘quintastics’ (a media buzzword for active and youthful 50 somethings).

Nearly one in three modern mums are considering an SUV for their next car, as are one in four millennials and one in five quintastics, according to a Ford-sponsored survey of 5,000 people.