Russia May 2012: Lada Granta stuck at #4, Chevy Cruze up to #9

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.