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

Lada Granta

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

The Russian car market continues to shine at +12% year-on-year in March to 252,816 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 614,273 units, up 19% on 2011. Best-seller over the Full Year 2011 but down to #3 last month, the Lada Kalina reclaims the pole position in March with 11,071 sales and 4.4% share, down 15% year-on-year. It is the 5th time the Kalina ever leads Russian sales after November 2010, April and July 2011 and January 2012.

Hyundai Solaris

In 2nd place, the Hyundai Solaris excels again at 10,492 units and 4.2% share, or just 480 units away from the top spot! This the closest a foreign model has ever come to reach #1 in Russia, albeit the Solaris is produced locally.

The Solaris may have missed its chance though, because just below the Lada Priora at 9,836 sales we find the new Lada Granta, up 3 spots and 65% on February to #4 with 9,291 units and 3.7% share. The Granta is now #7 year-to-date and should break the 10,000 monthly sales barrier and climb onto the Russian podium for the first time in April. The Granta’s sales evolution in its native country is one of the big worldwide stories on Best Selling Cars Blog this year so rest assured you will be kept updated in a timely manner!

Other great performers this month include the Kia Rio up 95% year-on-year at #6, the VW Polo up a massive 152% to a best-ever 7th place, the Chevrolet Cruze up 91% to a record 14th position, the Nissan Juke progressing to #16 and the VW Tiguan up 97% to a best-ever #18. The arrival of the Granta marks the end of an era, with the Lada 2104-2107 down 78% this month to #21 and the Lada Samara down 36% to #9.

Previous month: Russia February 2012: Lada Granta up to #7, Hyundai Solaris #2!

One year ago: Russia March 2011: Lada 2104-7 back to #1, Hyundai Solaris up

Full March 2012 Top 25 Ranking Table below.