Russia October 2014: Datsun on-DO above Opel Astra & Ford Focus

The Datsun on-GO is off to a great start in Russia.

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

After dropping 26% in August and 20% in September, the Russian new car market is down ‘only’ 10% in October to 211,365 deliveries, thanks to the combined effect of a new scrappage incentive supporting the sales of domestic models and the sharp decline of the Ruble raising the short-term demand for imported models as consumers fear prices will get steeper and are ‘rushing’ to buy. The year-to-date total is now down 13% to 1,991,312 registrations. Full analysis will follow shortly. There are two main events this month in Russia. Firstly, local manufacturer Lada, now owned by Renault-Nissan, posts its first year-on-year gain in 18 months (since February 2013) with sales up 1% to 37,788 units and 17.9% share compared to 16% in October 2013 and 16.1% YTD. The main culprits are the best-selling vehicle in the country, the Lada Granta, up a fantastic 26% to 16,807 sales and 8% share vs. 5.7% a year ago, the Lada Largus (a rebadged previous gen Dacia Logan MCV) up 14% to a best-ever 4th place, also hit last May and June, and the veteran Lada 4×4 solid at #7 and 2.4% share and back up from #14 to #11 YTD.

The Lada Granta is up 26% year-on-year at home.

Secondly, Nissan’s low-cost brand Datsun which landed in Russia last month at #38 with 520 sales, takes off to #22 with 1,779 units sold and 0.8% share, instantly becoming and by far the most successful new manufacturer to launch in 2014 with 2,299 sales ahead of Changan (902), Acura (656) and Brilliance (517). Most significantly, in October Datsun already passes such established brands as Land Rover (1,728), Lexus (1,678), Suzuki (1,521), Honda (1,460), Subaru (1,430) or even Peugeot (1,388) or Citroen (1,311)! Also interesting is the fact that Datsun already outsells all Chinese brands present in Russia bar Lifan (2,067) which it should have no trouble passing next month at this rate. Russia is the 4th (and last) country where Datsun was reintroduced as a low-cost brand this year after India, South Africa and Indonesia, with only one model for now: the on-DO sedan, none other than a rebadged Lada Granta produced in the same AvtoVAZ Togliatti plant. 1,779 on-DO sales are only 255 units off a Top 25 October ranking and above both the Opel Astra (1,609) and Ford Focus (1,574), granted in particularly bad shape, but still an astounding performance.

The UAZ Patriot shoots up to #13 in October, benefiting from scrappage schemes.

In other news, the Renault Logan gains 50% on October 2013 thanks to the new model, the Nissan Almera confirms its success with sales up 106% year-on-year at #8, the UAZ Patriot is boosted by the scrappage scheme and shoots up 112% on October 2014 to #13 with 3,428 sales vs. #31 in 2013, the Kia Sportage is up a nice 23% to #14, helping the Korean brand snatch the #2 overall manufacturer spot off Renault, the Mitsubishi Outlander is up 9% to #15, the Skoda Rapid impresses again at #18, the Toyota Camry is up 48% YOY, the Skoda Octavia up 35% and the VW Tiguan makes a comeback inside the Russian Top 25 at #23. Brand-wise, if UAZ (+75%), Lexus (+25%), SsangYong (+6%), Skoda (+5%), Mazda (+4%), Mercedes (+2%), Lada, Mitsubishi (+1%) and Toyota (+0.4%) all manage to gain ground in the Top 30, Volkswagen (-26%), Ford (-34%), BMW (-39%), Chevrolet (-37%), Citroen (-45%), Geely (-46%), Peugeot (-49%) and Daewoo (-69%) all fall dramatically.

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

One year ago: Russia October 2013: Renault Duster & Lada Largus break records, Corolla in Top20

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