Russia September 2013: Lada 4×4 and Largus continue to progress

Lada Largus in Yekaterinburg, Russia September 2013

* See the Top 30 best-selling models and Top 54 All-brands by clicking on the title! *

The Russian new car market is down for the 7th month in a row in September, but the fall is reduced to 5% this time at 246,895 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 2,046,700 units, down 7% on 2012. Now. This is my first sales report “post-Russia visit” so hopefully I’ll be able to give a more precise analysis from now on, with the benefit of having actually seen the market with my own eyes. The Lada Granta seems to have stabilised around 6% market share, now up only 5% year-on-year but still up 59% year-to-date. Granta sales are mainly fuelled by its success outside of Russia’s main two cities, Moscow and St Petersburg.

Hyundai Solaris in Tomsk, Russia – September 2013

If you have read my Trans-Siberian photo reports, you will know that the Hyundai Solaris has been the most consistently successful model in the 10 Russian cities I visited in September, way more consistent than the Lada Granta for example. This translates into an impressive 17% year-on-year growth in September to 10,676 sales and 4.3% share, which is interestingly the Solaris’ 2nd highest ever monthly volume in Russia below the 10,979 units it sold back in April 2012.

The Lada 4×4 is up to #4 in September…

The second model to shine in Russia this month is, astoundingly, the 36 year-old Lada 4×4 (aka Niva), up one further spot on August to a fantastic 4th place with 6,895 sales and 2.8%, up 36% year-on-year and staying 80 units above the Renault Duster back up 2 ranks to #5… I have asked my contacts in the Russian car industry to tell me more about this evolution which leaves me speechless I have to admit… The Lada Largus also continues its progression, up to a best-ever 7th spot at 5,319 units and 2.2%, and it should go even higher in the coming months given the 6 month-waiting list that has built up for the model.

Lada Kalina in Yekaterinburg, Russia – September 2013

Now starting to see the effects of the arrival of the new generation, the Lada Kalina is up 12 ranks on August to #8 but still down 43% year-on-year to 5,305 sales and 2.1% share. Other great performers this month in Russia include the Renault Logan up 33% year-on-year to #12 (runout time), the Nissan Qashqai up 30% to #14, Renault Sandero up 28% to #16 and the Hyundai ix35 up 34% to #17.

Previous month: Russia August 2013: Lada 4×4 and Chevrolet Cruze outstanding

One year ago: Russia September 2012: Lada Granta takes the lead

Full September 2013 Top 30 models and Top 54 All-brands Ranking Tables below.