Russia February 2017: Kia Rio confirms top spot in market down 4.1%

The Kia Rio holds 6.6% of the Russian car market in February. 

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Even though the local manufacturers association AEB predicts a recovery in 2017, February sales are once again in negative territory at -4.1% to 106.658 registrations. Year-to-date, the market is now down 4.5% to 184.574 units. The Top 3 best-selling manufacturers buck the trend and all lodge positive results: Lada is up 5% to 18.8%  share, Kia is up 8% to 11.6% and Renault is up 9% to 9% share. Hyundai is in difficulty at -11% to 8.8% share in 4th place as are Toyota (-20%) and Nissan (-28%). Volkswagen posts the largest year-on-year gain in the Top 10 at +18% to hit #5, followed by UAZ up 13% to #9. Further down, notice Datsun up 20%, Lexus up 24%, Peugeot up 30%, Infiniti up 51% and Jaguar up 210%.

The Lada Vesta is on the Russian podium for the 2nd month running.

In the models aisle, the Kia Rio cements its newfound leadership with sales up 0.2% to 7.033 and 6,6% share, winning the month for the 2nd time in a row, the 5th time in the past 7 months and the 6th time ever after November 2014, August, September and October 2016 and January 2017. The Lada Granta (-17%) follows almost two percentage points of market share below at 4.9% and sees its hopes of reclaiming the annual lead it lost last year progressively fade away. Just below is the Lada Vesta, continuing its regular progression towards the top of the Russian sales charts. February marks its 2nd podium ranking in a row at a best-ever #3 with sales up 73% year-on-year. Although its progression is encouraging, the Vesta still lies 1.8 points of market share away from the pole position and Lada will have a tough time reclaiming the annual models lead in 2017.

Kia Sportage Russian sales are up 94% over the previous generation. 

2016 leader the Hyundai Solaris seems to have given up: down 62% to a paltry 7th place overall, for the first time outsold by its factory stablemate the Hyundai Creta which delivers its best market share since last September at 3.8% and continues to comfortably lead the SUV charts. The VW Polo is up 11% to #5, the Renault Sandero (+1%) and Logan (+2%) both reappear in the Russian Top 25 at #8 and #9 respectively, making it three Renaults in the Top 10 vs. only two Ladas. The other recent Lada launch, the XRAY equals the market share record it hit last month at 2% in 12th place but ranks 10th year-to-date, a spot it has not yet reached monthly. Other gainers inside the Top 25 include the Nissan X-Trail (+8%), Skoda Rapid (+20%), Kia Sportage (+94%) and VW Tiguan (+120%).

Previous month: Russia January 2017: Lada hits highest market share in over 5 years

One year ago (1): Russia February 2016: Hyundai Solaris leads YTD, market down 13%

One year ago (2): Russia February 2016: Discover the Top 275 All-models (BSCB Exclusive)

Full February 2017 Top 53 All-brands and Top 25 models below.