Best Selling Cars – Matt's blog

Toyota RAV4

* See the Top 25 best-selling models and Top 54 All-brands by clicking on the title! *

Has the Russian car market peaked out? Will we have to wait 2014 to see it pass the 3 million annual sales milestone ? It would appear so, with new car sales down for the 2nd month in a row and in the last 3 years, accelerating their fall in April to -8% at 245,334 registrations. This brings the year-to-date in negative also at -2% to 862,298 units. The Lada Granta is oblivious to this market cough and breaks the 15,000 monthly sales barrier for the very first time at 15,596 units and 6.4% share, adding up to 52,765 and 6.1% year-to-date and reinforcing its 2013 leadership. In the meantime the Hyundai Solaris remains solidly installed in 2nd place, a position it has now held for 4 consecutive months, selling 10,553 units for a 4.3% market share and 35,941 at 4.1% year-to-date, while the Lada Kalina is back on the podium but down 36% year-on-year on the eve of the new generation’s launch.

Renault Duster

Exceptional hold of the Renault Duster, brilliantly maintaining itself within the Russian Top 5 for the third time in the last 4 months at #5 with 7,600 sales and 3.1% and also ranking #5 year-to-date. In spite of sales down 1% on April 2012, the VW Polo is up two spots on March to reach #6, its highest ever ranking in Russia also hit last January. The Chevrolet Niva is also in excellent shape: up to #7 at 5,724 units and 2.3% while the Lada Samara is back in the Top 10, up 3 ranks to #9.

Chevrolet Niva

The most spectacular performance this month in Russia is delivered by the Toyota RAV4 boosted by the new generation and up 113% year-on-year to an outstanding 10th place thanks to 4,974 sales and 2% share. It is now #20 year-to-date at 11,410 units and 1.3%. This is the first time since March 2012 that the RAV4 ranks within the Russian monthly Top 25. Notice also the Lada Largus (aka Dacia Logan MCV) up to #14 and the Kia Cee’d back in the Top 25 for the third time in the last 4 months at #18 with 3,330 units and 1.4%. Brand-wise, all Chinese manufacturers in the Top 30 buck the trend and gain significant ground this month: Geely up 88% to #23, Great Wall up 124% to #25, Lifan up 21% to #27 and Chery up 16% to #28.

Previous post: Russia Full Year 2012: Discover the Top 333 All-models ranking!

Previous month: Russia March 2013: Market down for the first time in 3 years

One year ago: Russia April 2012: Lada Granta #4, Chevrolet Cruze breaks into Top 10

Full April 2013 Top 25 models and Top 54 All-brands Ranking Tables below.

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Chery Indis. Picture courtesy of Roman Vukolov at docent.livejournal.com

* See the Top 333 best-selling models by clicking on the title! Many thanks to Austin *

See the Top 56 All-brands ranking here

For the first time on BestSellingCarsBlog, I can offer you an all-models ranking for Russia. Exciting times indeed! So let’s get right into it and first notice the dynamism of the Russian new car market: on top of reaching a record 2,935,111 registrations, we welcome 25 all-new models in the ranking this year, led by the Renault Duster (#17), Lada Largus (#45), Mazda CX-5 (#56), Peugeot 408 (#97) and Kia Optima (#110).

Peugeot 408

Among the Top 100 best-sellers, great performers include the Nissan Juke up 102% to #26, the Skoda Yeti up 111% to #38, SsangYong Actyon up 103% to #39, VW Jetta up 377% to #43, Geely MK up 159% to #54, Great Wall Hover up 127% to #55, Chevrolet Orlando up 1258% to #77, Range Rover Evoque up 487% to #84, Toyota Hilux up 277% to #85, BMW X3 up 192% to #87 and the Audi Q3 up 1491% to #91.

FAW Besturn B50

Another interesting evolution of the Russian car market is the increasing presence of Chinese models. A total of 25 of them have made their way into the Full Year 2012 ranking, let by the Lifan Solano, up 7 spots and 31% to #41. Notice also the Chery Tiggo up 363% to #111, the Geely Emgrand landing directly at #117, the Chery Bonus up 176% to #118, Chery Very up 589% to #122, Chery Indis up 243% to #136, Lifan X60 landing at #180 and the FAW Besturn B50 appearing at #230.

Previous Full Year 2012 post: Russia Full Year 2012: Lada Priora #1, Granta 4,800 sales below

Previous year: Russia Full Year 2011: Lada Kalina leads for the first time

Full Year 2012 Top 333 Ranking Table below.

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We could see Autobianchi return as early as 2014!

* See the Full article by clicking on the title! *

With the progression of Chinese carmakers worldwide, the rise and rise of low-cost brands following the tremendous success of Dacia over the last decade is one of the most fascinating mega-trends in the car industry at the moment. For example, my worldwide January roundup stressed the fact that Renault is only keeping afloat worldwide due to the success of its Dacia models, and monthly Chinese rankings show both low-cost brands Baojun and Venucia are making their mark.

Autobianchi Siena?

Last week, German website Autobild announced that Fiat could revive Autobianchi as its low-cost brand. For a while Innocenti was whispered around but it now seems like Autobianchi is the go. Created in 1955, Autobianchi was always priced higher than equivalent Fiat models and was used to test innovative concepts which later found their way into mainstream Fiat vehicles. Guess that will have to change now! The brand was integrated into Lancia in 1989 but survived in Italy until 1995 when production of the Y10 stopped. More on the Autobianchi brand here.

1977 Autobianchi A112 Abarth

According to Autobild, the first Autobianchi model would be built in Poland and Russia and based on the Brazilian Fiat Siena, itself built on the previous generation Fiat Palio’s platform. It will be a notchback sedan targeted at Eastern European markets to go full frontal against the Dacia Logan, with prices starting at 5,000 Euros. Autobild says if these plans come to fruition we could see the first low-cost Autobianchi cars hitting the road in late 2014, which is not so far off!

2013 Datsun grille

These news come as Nissan has confirmed they are reviving the Datsun brand as their low-cost option, to be officially launched later this year. Plans are now getting more precise: in addition to India, Indonesia and Russia which were announced last year, in February South Africa was confirmed as the 4th market where the Datsun brand will be revived.

The first low-cost Datsun?

As far as Russia is concerned, last week Nissan Russia CEO Francois Goupil de Bouille announced that “the first Datsun cars will roll in Russian cities in March 2014″, with plans to sell 100,000 Datsuns annually in Russia by 2016. There will be two Russian Datsun models to start with: a notchback sedan based on the Lada Kalina and Granta platforms and a hatchback model based on the previous generation Nissan Note.

Click on ‘Read more’ below for more details on Datsun’s return.

1968 Datsun 240Z

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Kia Rio

* See the Top 25 best-selling models and Top 55 All-brands by clicking on the title! *

Shock, horror: for the first time in 3 years and the establishment of scrappage schemes in April 2010, the Russian new car market is actually down year-on-year this month at -4% to 244,030 registrations! The year-to-date total is stable at 616,770 units. No surprise in pole position: the Lada Granta leads by far for the 7th month in a row with 14,373 sales and 5.9%. It is followed by the Hyundai Solaris at #2 for the 6th time ever after February 2012, March 2012, May 2012, January 2013 and February 2013 even though its sales are down 9% year-on-year to 9,610 and 3.9%.

The Kia Rio breaks its ranking, volume and market share records this month, landing on the Russian podium for the first time ever at #3 with 8,269 sales and 3.4%, and is now also #3 year-to-date. The Ford Focus is back up 4 spots to #4 but still down 7% year-on-year and the Renault Duster lodges a Top 5 finish for the 2nd time in the last 3 months at #5 with 7,007 units, its new volume record. For the first time in history, there is only one Lada in the monthly Russian Top 5: the Kalina is down 3 spots to #6 and the Priora down 2 to #5…

Further down, notice the Skoda Octavia up 5 ranks on February to #11, its highest ranking in the country so far, the Lada Samara back up 12 spots to #12 but still down 24% year-on-year, the Lada Largus down one spot to #15, the Hyundai ix35 up 40% on March 2012 to #19 with 3,019 sales and 1.2% and the Nissan X-Trail up 5 ranks to #20.

Previous month: Russia February 2013: Hyundai Solaris and Kia Rio impress

One year ago: Russia March 2012: Lada Granta #4, Hyundai Solaris stays #2

Full March 2013 Top 25 models and Top 55 brands Ranking Tables below.

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Kia Rio

* See the Top 25 best-selling models and Top 54 All-brands by clicking on the title! *

New car sales in Russia continue on their excellent run: after a record year in 2012 the market is up a further 2% year-on-year in February to 210,666 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 372,743 units, up 3% on 2012. The Lada Granta enjoys its 6th consecutive month in pole position thanks to 12,207 sales and 5.8% while the Hyundai Solaris ranks at a best-ever #2 for the 5th time ever (all in the last 13 months) after February 2012, March 2012, May 2012 and January 2013 in spite of sales down 9% year-on-year to 8,425 units and 4%. The Lada Kalina rounds up the podium like in January with 7,151 sales and 3.4%, down 11%.

Daewoo Nexia

Excellent month for the Kia Rio, up one spot on last month to a record 4th position with 6,768 sales and 3.2%, its highest ever market share also reached last October. The Rio is now also #4 year-to-date and #2 foreign model behind the Hyundai Solaris. Star of the month in January at #4, the Renault Duster is down two ranks to a still astounding 6th place this month at 5,964 units and 2.8%, making it #5 year-to-date with 11,338 sales and 3%. Both Daewoo models imported from Uzbekistan enjoy a staggering second wind in this start of 2013: the Daewoo Nexia is up a huge 68% year-on-year to #10 while the Matiz is up 64% to #19. Notice also the Nissan Qashqai up 7 spots to #13, the Lada Largus stable at #14 and the Hyundai ix35 at #22.

Previous month: Russia January 2013: Renault Duster up to 4th place!

One year ago: Russia February 2012: Lada Granta up to #7, Hyundai Solaris #2!

Full February 2013 Top 25 models and Top 54 All-brands Ranking Tables below.

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Renault Duster

* See the Top 25 best-selling models and Top 54 All-brands by clicking on the title! *

Building on a record year in 2012, new car sales in Russia are up a further 5% year-on-year in January to 162,077 registrations. Given Russian models data is always based on year-to-date sales, January is the opportunity to start from scratch again and be 100% sure that the Top 25 models are actually the Top 25 models this month… The Lada Granta starts the year with a bang: thanks to 10,589 sales it beats its market share record by nearly one percentage point to 6.5% vs. a previous best of 5.6% last October… The Hyundai Solaris is also in exceptional shape: up to #2 for only the 4th time ever after February, March and May 2012 at 7,353 units and 4.5%, equalling its record market share also hit in February 2012.

VW Polo

The Lada Kalina is back up 3 spots on December to #3 but stays below its FY2012 share at 3.7%. The performance of the month is once again delivered by the Renault Duster, up one rank on last month to a record 4th place and 3.3% share at 5,374 sales. The podium could be in the cards now for the French-Romanian low-cost best-seller, reaching heights unheard of for an SUV since the legendary Lada 4×4… The other models to venture into uncharted territories this month are the VW Polo, up 6 spots to a best-ever #6 with 4,631 sales and a record 2.9% share, and the Lada Largus up 7 ranks to a record #14 at 2,876 units and 1.8%.

Lada Largus

With the Lada Priora down 7 spots vs. last month to #9 and the Lada Samara down 10 to #19, there is only 2 Ladas in the Top 8 for potentially the first time since the 1980s… Notice also the surprisingly strong resistance of Daewoo models imported from Uzbekistan: the Nexia is up 19% year-on-year to #10 with 3,508 sales and 2.2% while the Matiz is up 18% to #21 at 2,185 units and 1.3%. We also welcome the Hyundai ix35 at #22, the Kia Cee’d at #23 and the Nissan X-Trail at #24.

Previous post: Russia Full Year 2012: Lada Priora #1, Granta 4,800 sales below

Previous month: Russia December 2012: Renault Duster breaks into Top 5

One year ago: Russia January 2012: Lada Granta finally launches

Full January 2013 Top 25 models and Top 54 All-brands Ranking Tables below.

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Lada Granta

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 56 All-brands + Top 25 models - click on title to see *

There is now a Top 333 All-models ranking available here!

While the rest of Europe was slowly but surely falling back into recession, the Russian new car market delivers a record year in 2012: up 11% to 2,935,111 registrations, beating the 2,704,040 units sold in 2008 before the global financial crisis. Model-wise, it was a year of transition between the Lada Kalina, #1 in 2011 and atop the monthly ranking 6 times in the first 7 months of the year and other ‘prehistorical’ Ladas (Samara, 2105-7) and the all-new Lada Granta, #1 from September onwards. However weaker Kalina sales in the last quarter and a relatively late bloom of the Granta put the… Lada Priora in pole position over the Full Year 2012 for only the 2nd time after 2009 with 125,951 sales and 4.3% (-9%), even though it only ranked #1 in February & August.

The 27 millionth Lada was a Priora…

Less than 5,000 units below we find the Lada Granta with 121,151 units and 4.1% share. It made its first official appearance within the monthly Top 25 in January at #21, broke into the Top 10 in February and into the Top 5 in March but had to wait until August to climb onto the podium before taking the lead in September and staying there, peaking at 14,197 sales and 5.6% in October. The Kalina is down 2 ranks and 16% to #3 at 119,890 units while the Hyundai Solaris remains the most popular foreign model, up 14% and one spot on 2011 to #4 with 110,776 sales, to my knowledge the first time a foreign model sells over 100,000 annual units in Russia. The Solaris even ranked #2 overall in February and May.

Chevrolet Cruze. Picture by Roger-Diesel, all rights reserved.

Below the Ford Focus up 14% to #5, the Kia Rio impresses, gaining 70% and 6 ranks to #6 at 84,730 units. The Chevrolet Cruze also shines: up 68% and 9 spots to #9 with 63,181 sales while the Skoda Octavia is up 27% to #15. Apart from the Granta, there are 4 newcomers in the Russian Top 25 in 2012: the best-performing is the Renault Duster lading directly at #17 with 47,344 units and peaking at a fantastic #5 in December. It is followed by the Toyota Camry up 61% to #20, the Kia Sportage up 37% to #22 and the VW Tiguan up 70% to #25.

Previous post: Russia December 2012: Renault Duster breaks into Top 5

Previous year: Russia Full Year 2011: Lada Kalina leads for the first time

Full Year 2012 Top 25 models and Top 56 All-brands Ranking Tables below.

Read more…

Renault Duster

* See the Top 25 best-selling models and Top 55 All-brands by clicking on the title! *

* See the Full Year 2012 post here *

The Russian new car market seems to have exhausted its growth potential (for now): it is up just 1% year-on-year in December to 253,158 registrations, bringing the Full Year 2012 total to a record 2,935,111 units, up a shiny 11% on 2011. 4th month in a row in pole position for the Lada Granta, now solidly established atop the Russian ranking with 13,152 sales and 5.2% and followed by the Lada Priora at 10,429 units and 4.1%, up 10% year-on-year. The Ford Focus climbs into the podium for potentially the first time since 2007 at #3 with 9,831 sales and 3.9%, passing the Hyundai Solaris to become the best-selling foreign model in the country for the first time since… March 2011!

Kia Sportage

But the big event this month is the arrival in the Russian Top 5 for the first time of the Renault Duster, up 2 spots on November to 6,659 sales and 2.6%, interestingly not its best scores however. To my knowledge it is the only SUV to have managed to break into the monthly Top 5 in Russia with the Lada 4×4 and possibly the Chevrolet Niva, up 4 ranks to #8 this month. An extraordinary performance indeed, and the next months could be even more impressive, with the Hyundai Solaris starting to lose steam, down 32% year-on-year at #4 in December. Notice also the Daewoo Nexia up 29% to #10 and the Kia Sportage up 75% to a best-ever #18.

Full Year post: Russia Full Year 2012: Lada Priora #1, Granta 4,800 sales below

Previous month: Russia November 2012: Lada Granta reigns, Samara’s last breath?

One year ago: Russia December 2011: Hyundai Solaris 744 units off pole position!

Full December 2012 Top 25 models and Top 56 All-brands Ranking Tables below.

Read more…

Lada Granta

* See the Top 25 best-selling models and All-brands ranking by clicking on the title! *

The Russian new car market significantly slows down its year-on-year growth in November at just +0.4% to 240,322 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 2,681,985 units, still up a very healthy 12% on 2011. The Lada Granta confirms it is the new favourite car in the country and ranks #1 for the third consecutive month with 12,836 sales and 5.3% share. While it’s not really reflecting how this year has unfolded, the Lada Priora takes advantage of a month off from the Lada Kalina (down to #8) to take the lead in the year-to-date ranking at 115,522 units and 4.3% whereas it was only #1 in February and August this year.

Lada Largus

The Hyundai Solaris climbs back onto the podium for the first time since last July at #3 with 9,272 sales and 3.9% while the Lada Samara is probably drawing its last breath, albeit up a spectacular 10 spots on October to #4 at 7,399 units and 3.1%, its highest ranking since last December when it simply ranked #1… How times have changed since. Another exceptional month for the Renault Duster, #7 again but beating its volume and market share records to 6,755 sales and 2.8%. Notice also the Skoda Octavia up to #11 and the Lada Largus breaking into the Top 20 for the first time.

Seat sales are up 613% year-on-year in November in Russia.

Brand-wise, Lada is finally on the mend and manages to behave better than the market for the first time in at least 2 years, up 7% year-on-year in November to 45,107 sales and 18.8% share, while Renault climbs into a brilliant 2nd place at 17,177 units and 7.1% and is now #3 year-to-date below Chevrolet but above Kia. The biggest gainers this month are Spanish and Chinese: Seat is up 613%, Geely up 147% and Great Wall up 124%. Other performers include Mercedes up 31%, Audi up 63%, Chery up 50% and Porsche up 66%.

Previous month: Russia October 2012: Lada Granta #1, Renault Duster up to #7!

One year ago: Russia November 2012: Hyundai Solaris on podium, Kia Rio #6 

Full November 2012 Top 25 models and All-brands Ranking Tables below.

Read more…

Renault Duster

* See the Top 25 best-selling models and Top 50 brands by clicking on the title! *

The Russian new car market is up 5% year-on-year in October to 253,732 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 2,441,663 units, up 13% on 2011.  The Lada Granta confirms it now is the dominant model in the country, improving its best-ever scores to 14,197 sales and 5.6% share. It is now #3 year-to-date at 95,162 units and 3.9%, in the process reverting the YTD podium back to 100% Lada like in 2011 and at least the last 15 years. If it continues to see its sales grow over the next 2 months the Granta could even finish the year at #1: it is now 10,200 units below the Priora and 11,907 below the Kalina.

Lada Granta. Picture courtesy of www.autobild.de

In fact the entire Top 6 most popular models stay unchanged vs. September: the Priora is #2 at 4.3%, followed by the Kalina (4.2%), Hyundai Solaris (3.9%), Kia Rio (3.2%) and Ford Focus (2.7%). But the big event this month is the thunderous arrival of the Renault Duster within the Russian Top 10. After coming very close over the last few months (it ranked #11 in July and September), the Duster is up 4 spots on September to land at a formidable 7th place thanks to 6,680 sales and 2.6% share. The Top 5 is definitely achievable if it continues on this fantastic sales trajectory. Finally notice the Lada Largus (aka Dacia Logan MPV) at #22 and 2,769 sales.

Audi sales are up 57% in October in Russia.

And this month I also give you the Top 50 brands ranking! For the first time in potentially 5 years, Lada sales as a whole are up year-on-year at +2% and 50,022 units in October, thanks to the success of the Granta and the arrival of the Largus. Chevrolet and Renault are both up an excellent 24% year-on-year at #2 and #3 respectively, with Kia up 14% at #4, Volkswagen up 18% at #6 and Toyota up 29% at #8. Premium brands fare very well this year in Russia: Audi is up 57% in October, Lexus up 54%, BMW 42% and Mercedes 34%. Lifan is the best-selling Chinese manufacturer at #25 (+21%) followed by Geely at #26 (+167%), Chery at #27 (+65%) and Great Wall at #30 (+65% also).

Previous post: USSR/Russia: 1970-2011 More detailed Historical info now available!

Previous month: Russia September 2012: Lada Granta takes the lead

One year ago: Russia October 2011: Lada Samara leads, new Kia Rio in Top 10

Full October 2012 Top 25 models and Top 50 brands Ranking Tables below.

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