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Russia September 2014: Lada Granta hits best share, Datsun lands

Lada Granta Russia September 2014. Picture courtesy of zr.ruLada Granta Liftback

* See the Top 25 best-selling models and Top 55 All-brands by clicking on the title! *

Still suffering from the consequences of the economic embargo agains the country as a result of the Ukraine situation, Russian new car sales somewhat slow down their fall in September at -20% to 197,233 registrations (compared to -26% in August), bringing the year-to-date total to 1,779,947 units, down 13% on 2013. The big event this month in the models ranking is the Lada Granta shooting up to 8.6% share thanks to sales actually up year-on-year (by 15%) at 16,924, smashing its previous best of 7% reached in June 2013. There are a few explanations for this sudden surge: the liftback variant, which kicked off production last May, is getting into cruise mode and starting to spread onto Russian roads, and purchase habits may slowly turn a little more nationalistic in the current context: there are 5 Ladas in the Top 10 for the first time since August 2013, lifting the brand to 18.5% share this month vs. 15.9% year-to-date. Also, the Lada Kalina is up two spots on August to #4, the Lada 4×4 (aka Niva) is up 5 to #7 and the Priora is surprisingly up 12% year-on-year at #10.

Opel Mokka Russia September 2014. Picture courtesy of zr.ruThe Opel Mokka hits a record 23rd place this month in Russia.

For Renault, the new generations continue to help the Logan (+36% at #6) and Sandero (back up 7 spots to #11) while the Duster is down 17% but still ranks at an outstanding 5th position. Excellent performance of the Mitsubishi Outlander, jumping from outside the Top 25 in August straight into 12th place with 2,822 sales, up 23% on September 2013 and now #25 year-to-date. The Skoda Rapid is up a further two ranks to #17, the Nissan X-Trail is up to #21 but down 23% year-on-year while the Opel Mokka is up a massive 134% to reach its best-ever monthly ranking in Russia at #23 and 2,219 units. More data and complete analysis will follow shortly.

Datsun on-DO Russia September 2014. Picture courtesy of zr.ruFirst appearance of Datsun in the Russian ranking this month with the on-DO

The main event in the brands ranking is the arrival of Nissan’s new low-cost brand Datsun in 38th position with 520 sales and 0.3% share. Russia is the 4th (and last) country where Datsun (re)launched this year after India, South Africa (with the Go) and Indonesia (with the Go+), and the first one to see the on-DO sedan hit the road. The on-DO is a rebadged Lada Granta produced in the AvtoVAZ Togliatti plant since 14 July 2014. It’s a good start for the brand: after just one month of sales it already positions itself as the third best-selling new manufacturer to launch in 2014 in Russia below Changan (785 units in 7 months) and Acura (551 sales in 6 months) and above Brilliance, JAC and Alfa Romeo. Its September score places Datsun just below such established brands as Jeep, Fiat (both at 678 sales) and the premium arm of the Nissan stable, Infiniti (639).

Previous month: Russia August 2014: Renault Logan up to #4 in market down 26%

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

Full September 2014 Top 25 models and Top 55 All-brands Ranking Tables below.

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