Ukraine (brands) April 2014: Geely leads in market down 70%

Geely MK (Russian model shown)

* See the Top 30 best-selling brands by clicking on the title! *

With the Crimean crisis still not resolved, the Ukrainian new car market falls deeper into recession: down a very depressing 70% year-on-year in April to just 7,765 registrations. That’s an annualised rate of less than 100,000 sales, to be compared to 623,253 sales in 2008 and a low of 162,291 in 2009 in the midst of the global financial crisis. For now the 2014 year-to-date figure is down 32% on 2013 to 45,781 units. Geely is clearly the winner in this gloomy environment, reclaiming the top spot it holds year-to-date thanks to 964 sales and 12.4% share, adding up to 5,990 and 13.1% so far in 2014.

Chinese Lifan is among only 7 brands in the Top 30 to lose less than half their sales year-on-year.

This month two additional carmakers hold 10% of the Ukrainian market or more: Toyota is up to 2nd place with 913 sales and 11.8% and ZAZ at #3 with 775 units and 10%, down ‘only’ 44% year-on-year. In total and including ZAZ, only 7 brands in the Top 30 lose less than half their sales year-on-year: Bogdan down 11% to #11, Daewoo down 3% to #14, BMW down 48% to #19, Lexus down 32% to #22, Lifan down 17% to #25 and Great Wall down 34% to #27. That’s right: no brand in the Top 30 gained ground year-on-year in April. Depressing times indeed. On the other end of the scale, Citroen drops 89%, Hyundai is at -86%, Kia and Volkswagen at -85%, Chevrolet at -84% and Mitsubishi at -83%.

Previous month: Ukraine (brands) March 2014: Geely leader year-to-date in market down 51%

One year ago: Ukraine April 2013: Hyundai Accent and VW Polo on top

Full April 2013 Top 30 brands Ranking Table below.