Best Selling Cars – Matt's blog

1972 Lada 2103

* See the direct links to 17 USSR/Russia Historical posts by clicking on the title! *

Thanks to Rusel and Alex there is now detailed data for the best-selling imports in Russia from 1996 to 2001. At that time the Daewoo Nexia, imported from Uzbekistan, was by far most popular foreign model, peaking at 12,500 sales in 2000. The only vehicles to come close were the Skoda Felicia, Fabia and Octavia and the Daewoo Espero.

Lada 111

You will also find Historical Info for the USSR/Russia starting in 1970. However before 2003 there is no official data for Russian models so please get in touch if you have any information for that period. There is a Top 40 models ranking for 2003, Top 100 for 2004, Top 50 for 2005, Top 150 for 2006, Top 200 for 2007, Top 10 for 2008, Top 15 for 2009 and from September 2010 onwards you can check out a monthly Top 25 for Russia.

Renault Logan

Witness the behaviour of immensely popular Lada 2101, Lada 2105, Lada Samara, Lada 110, Lada Priora and Lada Kalina, the success of the Ford Focus and Renault Logan, and watch the market grow year after year to peak at 2.7 million units in 2008 before the GFC…

All USSR/Russia Historical Info: click on ‘Read more’ below the Lada 2102 pic.

Lada 2102

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Hyundai ix35

* See the Top 50 best-selling models by clicking on the title! Many thanks to Rusel *

Thanks to Rusel I can now share with you a Top 50 models ranking for Russia over the first 6 months 2012. As a reminder, the Russian new car market is up 14% over the period to 1,413,769 registrations, a record. Outside the familiar Top 25, there are two additional newcomers in the Top 30: the Hyundai ix35 is up 10 spots on its FY2011 ranking at #28 with 12,944 sales while the Renault Duster lands directly at #29 and 12,445 units.

Ssangyong Actyon Sports

The UAZ Patriot grows faster than the market at +20% to #33 with 9,314 sales, the Renault Fluence is up 9 ranks to #34 and the Toyota Prado is up 8 to #37. Further down, the Skoda Yeti is up a massive 127% year-on-year and 28 spots on its FY2011 ranking to #41 at 7,571 units and the Hyundai Santa Fe is up 9 to #42.

Lifan Solano

The Lifan Solano (aka 620) remains the only Chinese model in the Russian Top 50, up 32% yoy to #46, the Mazda CX-5 is the other all-new model in the Top 50, landing directly at #48 with 6,881 sales, the Ssangyong Actyon is up 235% yoy and 21 spots to #49 and the Nissan Almera is up 14 to #50.

Previous 6 month 2012 post: Russia 6 months 2012: Lada loses grip on models ranking

Previous post: Russia Full Year 2011: Now available with Top 120 models ranking!

Most recent month: Russia September 2012: Lada Granta takes the lead

Full 6 months 2012 Top 50 Ranking Table below.

Read more…

Lifan Solano. Click on picture to enlarge – all rights reserved by zr.ru.

* See the Top 120 best-selling models by clicking on the title! Many thanks to Rusel *

If you are a regular reader of BSCB you will know that only the Top 25 best-selling models are available each month for Russia. Today thanks to Rusel I can share with you a Russian Top 120 ranking for the Full Year 2011! This is the first time since 2007 we have access to that much detail! So get ready for very interesting findings indeed… As a reminder the Russian market was up 39% in 2011 to 2,653,408 registrations, the country’s 2nd best year-end result after the 2,704,040 units it reached in 2008 and placing Russia within the Top 10 largest car markets in the world.

UAZ Patriot. Picture by zr.ru, all rights reserved.

Outside the familiar Top 25, the biggest gainers within the Full Year 2011 Top 120 include the Kia Cerato up 75% to #30, the Mitsubishi ASX up 264% to #33, UAZ Patriot up 57% to #35, Hyundai ix35 up 91% to #38, VW Golf up 103% to #42, Renault Fluence up 121% to #43, Toyota Highlander up 1154% to #58, Mitsubishi Pajero up 187% to #60, Kia Soul up 182% to #65 and BMW X1 up 265% to #99. The Nissan Juke lands at #39 while the SsangYong Actyon ranks #70 for its first year of sales in the country.

Lifan Solano Taxi

But the most interesting element to be extracted from this more detailed Russian ranking is the fate of Chinese models. 6 manage to rank within the Top 120 in 2011, featuring 5 different brands. The most popular Chinese model in Russia in 2011 and the only one to rank within the Top 50 is the Lifan Solano (aka 620) up 139% to #48 with 11,563 sales.

Vortex Tingo

In 2008, the TagAZ plant (under Daewoo Motors license) started assembling Chery models in Russia, selling them under the Vortex brand. The Vortex Tingo is a rebadged Chery Tiggo and it ranks #55 in 2011, up 302% on 2011 at 10,269 units.

Great Wall Hover. Picture by zr.ru, all rights reserved.

Lifan Smily. Picture by zr.ru, all rights reserved.

The Great Wall Hover is up 112% on 2010 to #80 with 5,785 sales, the Geely MK is up 163% to #87 and 5,101 units, the Lifan Smily (aka 320), all-new in Russia for 2011, lands directly at #88 with 5,080 units while the Haima 3 arrives at #116 and 3,114 sales.

Previous Russian post: Russia September 2011: Lada Granta takes the lead

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

Full Year 2011 Top 120 Ranking Table below.

Read more…

Lada Granta

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

New Russian car sales slow down their growth at +10% year-on-year in September to 259,582 registrations. The year-to-date total stands at 2,187,797 units after 9 months, up 14% on 2011. Big event this month: over 2 years after its official presentation at the Moscow Motor Show in August 2010 and 8 months after its sales kick started in Russia last January, the Lada Granta takes the lead of the Russian models ranking with a record 14,050 sales and 5.4% share. It is up 12% on August and a comfortable 2,441 units above the #2, the Lada Priora down 15% year-on-year to 11,609 sales and 4.5%. The Lada Kalina, still #1 year-to-date at 96,513 units and 4.4%, rounds up the September podium with 9,315 sales and 3.6%, down 23% yoy.

Renault Duster

After 9 months, Lada has sold 80,965 Grantas and should finish the year at around 120,000 which is above the 100,000 units the manufacturer planned for at the start of the year. So, is the Granta a success? It’s still too early to say, as it was launched to replace two monuments: the 32 year-old Classic and the 28 year-old Samara. Even though they have all but disappeared of the 2012 ranking (#18 and #8 respectively), these two veterans still sold a total of 235,000 units in the country last year so the bar is high for the Granta which will need to sell upwards of 200,000 units in 2013 to keep a smile on its bonnet.

Mitsubishi Outlander

Below the 100% Lada podium, the Hyundai Solaris is stable at #4 and remains the best-selling foreigner with 9,096 sales and 3.5%, followed by the Kia Rio at 7,928 units and 3.1%, up 733% year-on-year (!) and the Ford Focus. The VW Polo is back up to #7 and the Chevrolet Cruze stays solid at #8. Another outstanding month for the Renault Duster, up 4 spots on August to fall short of breaking into the Top 10 for the first time for just… 8 sales! It is at 5,042 units and 1.9% and already #20 year-to-date.

Lada Largus

Two newcomers make themselves noticed this month in the Russian Top 20: the Mitsubishi Outlander, boosted by the new generation, shoots up to #16 with 3,571 sales and 1.4% while the Lada Largus continues its progression, up 3 ranks on last month to #17 with 3,118 units and 1.2%. Notice also the Toyota Camry at #20 (+95% year-on-year) and the Nissan Juke at #22 (+57%).

Previous month: Russia August 2012: Lada Granta takes off to #2, Lada Largus #20

One year ago: Russia September 2011: Hyundai Solaris up to #4 for the first time

Full September 2012 Top 25 Ranking Table below.

Read more…

Looks like the Lada Granta is finally getting its groove on in Russia

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

At 258,761 registrations and up 15% year-on-year, this is the best August ever for new car sales in Russia, bringing the year-to-date total to 1,928,216 units, up 14% on 2011. For only the third time in the last 12 months after September 2011 and February 2012, the Lada Priora takes the lead of the models ranking with 12,647 sales and 4.9%. It is followed by the Lada Granta, finally taking off after being stuck outside the podium since its first appearance in the ranking last January and selling a record 12,511 units (its first time above 10,000 monthly sales) for a 4.8% share (its first time above 4%).

Lada Largus

After 5 consecutive months in pole position, the Lada Kalina is kicked down to #3 at -30% year-on-year to 8,259 sales and 3.2% but comfortably stays in the lead year-to-date at 87,198 units and 4.5%. The Hyundai Solaris is once again the best-selling foreign model in Russia, but this month its advantage over the Ford Focus is just 263 units. The Chevrolet Cruze is stable at a best-ever #8, while the Daewoo Nexia at #9 (+1) and Lada 4×4 at #10 (+6) experience a little revival.

Lada 4×4

Now that it features in the 2012 year-to-date ranking at #23, we have official figures for the Renault Duster and its July was even better than expected at 5,455 sales (#11) with August slightly down to #15 and 4,308 units. The other two Renaults in the Top 25 are in sharp decline however: the Logan is #24 vs. #9 year-to-date and the Sandero is #26 vs. #15. Based on my calculations we have a notable newcomer in the Top 20: the Lada Largus, aka Dacia Logan MPV, landing at #20 with 3,083 sales and 1.2%.

Previous month: Russia July 2012: Renault Duster close to Top 10, Lada Largus lands

One year ago: Russia August 2011: Lada Priora most popular

Full August 2012 Top 25 Ranking Table below.

Read more…

Renault Duster

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

Another very solid month for new car sales in Russia, up 14% year-on-year both in July at 255,560 registrations and year-to-date at 1,669,455 units. The Lada Kalina is now the uncontested leader of the models ranking, in pole position for the 5th consecutive month in spite of sales down 13% year-on-year to 11,143. The podium stays unchanged on last month, with the Lada Priora at #2 and 10,722 sales (-12%) and the Hyundai Solaris at #3 with 9,361 units (+4%).

The Lada Granta is back up to #4 with 9,273 sales and 3.6% while the Kia Rio takes the 5th place and #2 foreign model with 7,804 units and 3.1%. The Lada Samara is enjoying some sort of second wind, interrupting its fall to get back up 3 spots on June to #6 with 7,771 sales and 3% vs. 2.4% year-to-date, ahead of the Ford Focus (-3) and the Chevrolet Cruze, extremely robust at #8 with 6,452 units and a best-ever 2.5% share.

While the Daewoo Nexia is also enjoying a mini revival at #10 with 5,907 sales and 2.3% (vs. 1.8% year-to-date), the Renault Duster should confirm its outstanding success with an estimated 5,000 units sold this month which would place it just outside the Top 10 at #11. The Duster should break into the year-to-date Top 25 next month.

Lada Largus

Finally, the Lada Largus, in fact a rebadged Dacia Logan MCV, whose production started in Russia on April 4 this year, kick-started sales in the country on July 16 and totals 1,258 units for a 0.5% market share this month. There is already a 6 month-waiting list for the model in Russia.

Previous month: Russia June 2012: Chevrolet Cruze up, Lada Granta down

One year ago: Russia July 2011: Lada Kalina leads, VW Polo breaks record

Full July 2012 Top 25 Ranking Table below.

Read more…

Hyundai Solaris

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

* There is now a Top 50 models ranking available here! *

After Brazil, France, India and Japan, Russia is the 5th Top 10 market we go through in more detail halfway through the year, and it’s a very dynamic time for new car sales: up 14% year-on-year to 1,413,769 registrations, a record. The Russian models ranking probably hasn’t seen that much change on top in a decade… While last year 5 of the Top 8 best-selling models were Ladas, now there are only 3 in the Top 10 and the Russian brand has seen its market share fall from 23.6% to 17.7% over the period. While the Kalina keeps the pole position, it sees its sales fall by 7% year-on-year while the Priora is #2 but down 13%. The Samara is down 40% to #9, the 4×4 is down 4% to #14 and the 2105-2107 is down 71% and 15 spots to #17, whereas the Granta has not reached its full potential yet at #5 and 45,131 sales.

Nissan Juke

The Hyundai Solaris has established itself as the favourite foreign model although it is produced locally, even hitting the 2nd place overall in January, February and May 2012, something no foreign brand had achieved in living memory in Russia. The Ford Focus progresses just a little bit faster than the market at +18% to #4, the Kia Rio is taking full advantage of the arrival of the new model, up 72% to #6, the Renault Logan suffers at -11% and #7 whereas the VW Polo is laughing at +77% to #8. Note that for the first time in a very long while the entire Top 10 best-selling models are produced locally.

Kia Sportage

Outside the Top 10, notice the Chevrolet Cruze up 85% to #11, the Renault Sandero up 40% to #12, the Skoda Octavia up 33% to #16 and the Toyota Camry up 55% to #21. Apart from the Lada Granta there are 3 newcomers in the year-to-date Top 25: the Nissan Juke is up 455% to #23, the VW Tiguan up 127% to #24 and the Kia Sportage up 57% to #25.

Previous post: Russia June 2012: Chevrolet Cruze up, Lada Granta down

One year ago: Russia June 2011: Lada Priora and Hyundai Solaris shine

Full 6 months 2012 Top 25 Ranking Table below.

Read more…

Chevrolet Cruze

* Now updated with Renault Duster sales figures – many thanks to Maximus *

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

Russian car sales keep staying unaffected by the European gloom, up a shiny 10% year-on-year in June to 272,125 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total after 6 months to 1,413,769 units, up 14% on 2011. The Lada Kalina has now fully established its leadership over the Russian models ranking, holding the top spot for the 4th month in a row in spite of sales down 5% year-on-year to 12,616 units and 4.6% share. It is the 8th time the Kalina ever is in pole position in Russia, the 5th in the last 6 months.

Kia Rio

The Lada Priora reclaims the 2nd spot at 3.9% share, followed by the Hyundai Solaris at 3.5%, down year-on-year for the first time at -12%. The big surprise is the 4th place of the Ford Focus with the Lada Granta down to a feeble #5 with 8,597 units and 3.2% share, and now also down to #5 year-to-date at 45,131 sales. Slow production start or sales peak? The next 6 months will hold the answer. All in all, with the slow death of the Samara (-48%) and 2105/2107 (-75%), Lada is down 18% in June with its market share dropping from 22.3% to 16.5% year-on-year…

Renault Duster

The good news come from Chevrolet and Renault. The Chevrolet Cruze beats its Russian ranking, volume and share market records for the third consecutive month, up 2 spots on May and 82% year-on-year to #7 with 6,868 units and 2.5%. It is now #11 year-to-date compared to #19 a year ago. For its part the Renault Duster is up 6 spots on May to a brilliant 14th place with 4,913 sales and 1.8% share, having now sold over 10,000 units in Russia. Other great performers this month include the Kia Rio up 59% at #6, VW Polo up 45% to #8 and Nissan Qashqai up 52% to #17.

Previous month: Russia May 2012: Lada Granta stuck at #4, Chevrolet Cruze up to #9

One year ago: Russia June 2011: Lada Priora and Hyundai Solaris shine

Full June 2012 Top 25 Ranking Table below.

Read more…

Chevrolet Cruze

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

The Russian car market continue on its insolent good run while most of Europe is slowing down, up 11% year-on-year in May to 260,944 registrations and bringing the year-to-date total to 1,141,484 units, up 15% on 2011. The Lada Kalina manages to hold the pole position for the third consecutive month with 13,200 sales and 5.1% share. It is the 7th time the Kalina tops the monthly Russian ranking after November 2010, April & July 2011 and January, March & April 2012. It reinforces its domination year-to-date at 54,910 units and 4.8%.

Lada Kalina

The Hyundai Solaris climbs on the 2nd step for the third time ever after January and February 2012 with 10,454 sales and 4% share, ahead of the Lada Priora at 10,182 units and 3.9%. The surprise is at #4: we were expecting better of the Lada Granta, stuck just outside the podium for the third consecutive month with 9,860 sales and 3.8%, not enough for Lada to stabilise falling sales: with the Samara down 45% at #10 and the 2104-2107 down 75% at #23, the brand is down 11% in May and 13% year-to-date, going from 24% market share over 5 months 2011 to 18% now…

The Lada Granta has not managed to stabilise Lada’s falling sales yet

The Kia Rio is up one spot to #5 with an excellent 7,801 sales and 3%, ahead of the Ford Focus (3%), Renault Logan (2.6%) and VW Polo (2.6%). The Chevrolet Cruze is this month’s best performer, beating ranking, volume and share records for the 2nd month in a row at #9 with 6,176 sales and 2.4%. Notice also the Daewoo Nexia up 2 spots to #11, the Daewoo Matiz up to #17 and the Chevrolet Lacetti up 5 ranks to #18.

Previous month: Russia April 2012: Lada Granta #4, Chevy Cruze breaks into Top 10

One year ago: Russia May 2012: Lada Priora leads, Hyundai Solaris up again

Full May 2012 Top 25 Ranking Table below.

Read more…

Lada Granta

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

While most European countries are struggling in this start of 2012, there is no sign of slowing down for Russian car sales, up an impressive 14% year-on-year in April to 266,267 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 880,540 units, up 18% on 2011. I have to admit Russia has become one of my most eagerly anticipated countries each month, following the passing of the guard between old Ladas and the Granta. It is truly a unique time in the history of Russian car sales.

Lada Kalina

Well this month we were expecting lots of changes and there is virtually none atop the ranking, let’s just label it a ‘consolidation’ month. The Lada Kalina leads again with 13,890 sales and 5.2%, its 2nd highest volume behind April 2011 and the 6th time it ever tops the monthly Russian ranking after November 2010, April & July 2011 and January & March 2012. The Lada Priora is up to #2 at 11,374 units and 4.3% while the Hyundai Solaris is down to #3 but with 10,979 sales it reaches its strongest volume ever and most probably the highest monthly figure for a foreign model.

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

The Lada Granta is taking a little longer than expected to climb onto the Russian podium and stays 4th this month with a best-ever 9,798 units and 3.7% share, stable vs. last month. It is now #5 year-to-date with 26,674 sales and 3%. Expect it to resume its progression to the top in the next few months. The Kia Rio continues on its winning trajectory, delivering its strongest volume ever this month at 8,100 units in 6th place, up 60% year-on-year.

Renault Duster

We welcome a new entrant in the Russian Top 10: the Chevrolet Cruze, produced in St Petersburg and up 4 ranks on last month to land #10 with 5,522 sales and 2.1% which are also its volume and share records in the country. For the first time in recent memory the entire Top 10 is composed of models produced locally. Finally, the Renault Duster makes its first appearance in the ranking at #25 with 2,286 sales, making Renault the best-selling foreign brand for the first time with 17,914 sales, up 24% and a new all-time record.

Previous month: Russia March 2012: Lada Granta #4, Hyundai Solaris stays #2

One year ago: Russia April 2011: Lada Kalina #1, Hyundai Solaris best foreigner

Full April 2012 Top 25 Ranking Table below.

Read more…