Russia April 2016: Vesta & XRAY push Lada to best share in 4.5 years

The Lada XRAY is getting closer to the Russian Top 10. 

* See the Top 53 All-brands and Top 25 models by clicking on the title *

The Russian market still hasn’t hit rock bottom, looking at April sales down a further 8.5% to just 121.272 with the year-to-date total now down 15% to 440.583. Both March, April and year-to-date scores are the lowest in a decade in Russia. Joerg Schreiber, Chairman of the AEB Automobile Manufacturers Committee adds: “Under these circumstances, the decision of the Russian government to extend market stimulation measures is highly welcome and appropriate, intended to help the market to get through what is probably the toughest period in its recent history”. Thanks to a renewed lineup (see further down), home-grown carmaker Lada goes against the grain with an 8% year-on-year improvement to 24.648 sales and 20.3% share. After slumping to an all-time low 13% share in December 2014, this is Lada’s first time above 20% at home since February 2014 (20.2%), and its best share since October 2011 (20.5%) when it sold 49.270 units in a then much stronger market.

The Focus helps Ford back up 39% this month in Russia. 

Below, both Hyundai (10.1%) and Kia (10%) fall slightly faster than the market at -11% and -13% respectively, with Renault faring better in fourth place at -5% to 8% share. Toyota manages to gain 15% to get back to the 5th position it holds year-to-date, with Skoda (+9%), GAZ (+12%) and UAZ (+2%) the other Top 10 manufacturers to improve year-on-year. Outside, Ford delivers an outstanding 39% growth at #11, Lifan is up 67% to #19 and Volvo up 52% to #24. Notice also Subaru (+17%), BMW (+16%), Lexus (+6%) and Suzuki (+3%) in positive. Reversely, recently relaunched low-cost brand Datsun is crumbling apart at -68% to just 793 units and 0.7% share. Mitsubishi (-59%), Chevrolet (-39%) and Nissan (-32%) also suffer.

The Lada Vesta now holds 4% of the Russian market. 

Model-wise, the Lada Ganta reclaims a pole position that used to be firmly its own thanks to sales down just 5% to 9.888 vs. 8.193 (-9%) for the Hyundai Solaris, only the third time in the past 10 months that the Granta is the Russian best-seller. The Solaris however historically remains the year-to-date top seller for now with 29.627 units (-12%) vs. 28.871 (-30%) for the Granta. The all-new Vesta continues to climb albeit at a much slower pace and remains at #4: up 5% on March to 4.821 sales and 4% share this month. It may have hit is cruise volume as its price is double that of the Granta.

Toyota RAV4 sales are up 42% in Russia in April. 

Its SUV counterpart the XRAY is up 44% and 10 spots on last month to #13 and 2.184 units, now outselling the Largus (-30%), Kalina (-42%), 4×4 (-41%) and Priora (-36%). The Toyota RAV4 (+42%), Skoda Octavia (+24%), Renault Sandero (+16%), VW Polo (+12%), Skoda Rapid (+6%) and Toyota Camry (+3%) all post year-on-year gains with the new Hyundai Tucson making its very first appearance inside the Top 25 at #22 and the Ford Focus returning into it for only the second time in the past 16 months along with last October (#23).

Previous post: Russia March 2016: Discover the Top 280 All-models (BSCB Exclusive)

Previous month: Russia March 2016: Hyundai Solaris sovereign, Vesta cannibalises Granta

One year ago: Russia April 2015: Datsun fades in market down 41%

Full April 2016 Top 53 All-brands and Top 25 models below.