Russia 2006: Lada Riva #1, foreigners up to 46.6% share, led by Ford Focus

The Ford Focus is the best-selling foreign nameplate in Russia in 2006.

* See the Top 63 All-brands and Top 320 All-models by clicking on the title *

The Russian new car market enjoys a 4th consecutive all-time record year in 2006, up a fantastic 19.7% year-on-year to 1.953.998 registrations. As it has been the case throughout this decade, local brands remain stable at +3% to 1.044.056 and 53.4% share vs. 62% last year, the entire growth being triggered by foreign carmakers surging another 47% to 909.942 and 46.6% share vs. 38% a year ago. Lada (+5%) trails its home market and sees its share further drop to 39.3%, still almost four times the amount of any other manufacturer present in the country. GAZ (+2%) maintains itself above 200.000 annual sales, while Chevrolet (+44%) replaces Hyundai (+7%) on the annual podium just as Ford (+57%) slides in-betrween at #4. Toyota (+56%), Renault (+148%) and Daewoo (+49%) swoosh ahead, upstaging Nissan (+37%) and Mitsubishi (+22%). Further down, Ssangyong (+677%), Kia (+101%), Mercedes (+83%), Peugeot (+72%), Opel (+64%) and Land Rover (+63%) make themselves noticed. From 1 Chinese brand in 2005 – Great Wall, already down 52% to #32 – there are now 4 in 2006, with Chery (#31), Yuejin (#38) and Foton (#42) making their appearance.

Chery Amulet. Picture zr.ru

Model-wise, the Lada Riva (+2%) has escaped the Lada Samara (-8%) threat and widens gap with its follower to over 25.000 units vs. 3.500 in 2005 and just 900 in 2004. The Lada 2110 (+0.5%) and GAZ Gazelle (-1%) hold onto their positions, while the Lada Kalina is up 5-fold and 13 spots to 5th place. The Ford Focus (+85%) is up 5 ranks to take the lead of foreign models for the first time at #6, just above the Renault Logan (+449%) at #7. The GAZ Volga 3110 (-3%) is knocked 3 spots down to #8 with the Mitsubishi Lancer (+27%) and Daewoo Nexia (+35%) rounding out the Top 10. Notice also the Chevrolet Lanos up 1125% to #13, the Kia Spectra up 724% To #17, the Chevrolet Lacetti up 124% to #24 and the Hyundai Tucson up 111% to #27. The Lada Priora is the most popular new launch at #41, the Great Wall Deer/Sailor remains the best-selling Chinese nameplate at #88 ahead of the Chery Amulet – a rebadged 1991 Seat Toledo – at #125.

Previous year: Russia 2005: Lada Riva edges past Samara, foreigners up 51% to 38% share, Great Wall in

Full Year 2006 Top 63 All-brands and Top 320 All-models below.