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

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.