Russia First Half 2017: First positive result in five years

The Hyundai Solaris is out, so it’s the Kia Rio – not the Lada Granta – now at #1. 

* See the Top 58 All-brands and Top 25 models by clicking on the title *

An all-models H1 2017 ranking is now available here

Finally, it’s the end of the tunnel for Russian new car sales with a first positive First Half in five years (since 2012) at +6.9% to 718.529 registrations, however still hardly half the result of five years ago (1.413.769)… Homegrown behemoth Lada almost doubles the market growth at +13% to a solid 19.5% market share, one full percentage point above the same period a year ago. In second place like last year, Kia posts the largest year-on-year gain in the Top 15 at +22% to 11.9% share, 1.4pp above last year. Hyundai (+10%) and Renault (+17%) also beat the market to round up the Top 4 as does Volkswagen (+18%) in 6th place whereas Toyota (-1%) and Nissan (-3%) lose ground.

The Lada Vesta is up 51% to #3 but remains far from the pole position volume-wise. 

Mazda (+21%), Datsun (+32%), Volkswagen Vans (+20%), Volvo (+27%) and Jaguar (+67%) are the most dynamic among manufacturers selling over 1.000 units over the period. 2017 hasn’t been kind with luxury brands in Russia so far: Mercedes (-7%), BMW (+3%), Lexus (-5%) and Audi (-24%) all lose either volume or market share. Daewoo (#19 last year) has been replaced by Ravon (#21) which is far from reaching the same level at 4.946 vs. 8.574 for the defunct brand last year. Haval (#36) and Genesis (#41) also make their appearance in the Russian sales charts. Lifan, #20 with 1% share remains by far the most popular Chinese fare in Russia this year and despite a 5% drop. It distances Chery at 0.4% (+2%) and Geely at 0.2% (-65%).

The Hyundai Creta is one of the most successful nameplate launches in Russian history. 

One year ago, the Hyundai Solaris spectacularly took charge of the models ranking. The situation has changed drastically since, but not to Lada’s advantage despite two new successful launches. It’s the Kia Rio that snaps the pole position halfway through 2017 thanks to deliveries flying off 17% to 6.4% share whereas it ranked 3rd a year ago. The Lada Granta manages to slow down its fall and even rank #1 in June for the first time of the year. It remains 2nd. Continuing to gear up, the Lada Vesta is up 51% on the same period a year ago to land in third place. It hit a record 5.2% share in May but never ranked above #3. In 4th place we have the ex-leader the Hyundai Solaris, freefalling down 29%. Far from a disaffection from Russian customers, this is the result of the discontinuation of the hatchback variant to make room in the factory for Hyundai’s new SUV…

The Lada XRAY is now inside Russia’s Top 10.

…The Creta, which has been the #1 SUV in Russia ever since it launched last August. All-in-all, Hyundai is winning as the two nameplates add up to almost 57.000 units this year vs. just under 46.000 for the Solaris alone last year. The VW Polo (+2%) overtakes the Renault Duster down three spots and 15% to #7. Taking a little longer to blossom than the Vesta, the Lada XRAY breaks into the YTD Top 10 at #9 vs. #23 a year ago with deliveries up 92%. At #11, the Renault Kaptur directly lands as the brand’s 2nd best-seller in Russia above the Sandero and Logan. Further down the ranking, the Kia Sportage (+48%), VW Tiguan (+192%), Datsun on-DO (+42%) and Mazda CX-5 (+27%) all post very solid gains.

Previous post: Russia June 2017: Fourth consecutive YoY gain at +15%

One year ago: Russia First Half 2016: Hyundai Solaris takes charge in market down 14%

Full H1 2017 Top 58 All-brands and Top 25 models vs. Full H1 2016 figures below.