Russia December 2014: Datsun on-DO breaks into Top 10

The on-DO is the first Datsun to crack the Top 10 anywhere in the world.

* See the Top 25 best-selling models and Top 54 All-brands by clicking on the title *

A flicker of hope: just as analysts predict the Russian new car market will be down 25% in 2015 (I disagree), new registrations are up year-on-year in December and for only the second time in the past 22 months at +2% to 270,653 deliveries. However 2014 ends on a harsh -10% drop to 2.49 million units. Let’s get straight to the big event of the month: the Datsun on-DO continues its incredible run, up 27% on November to 5,104 sales and #10, earning Datsun its very first monthly Top 10 since its relaunch as a low-cost brand early in 2014. This is great news for Datsun as its other main launch in India hasn’t been met with the expected success: the GO frankly disappointed there with a personal best of #22 in April. In Indonesia, the GO+ peaked at #11 in September and October while in South Africa the GO is up to #20 so far.

Chevrolet Niva

2015 Chevrolet Niva Concept

After being toppled by the Kia Rio in a shock move that saw a foreign model crowned in the Russian monthly sales charts for the first time since 1969, the Lada Granta reclaims its due title in November with 13,405 sales (+4%) vs. 9,502 (+8%) for the Hyundai Solaris and 9,298 (+34%) for the Kia Rio. Just below the Renault Duster (-18%), excellent performance of the Chevrolet Niva up to #5 with 6,489 sales, simply its best monthly ranking since BSCB started following monthly Russian charts in 2010. This is potentially the consequence of both the scrappage scheme in place at the moment, making the Niva even cheaper than usual, and heavy discounting in the wake of the arrival of the new generation (pictured above) in 2015.

VW Jetta

Below, the Lada 4×4 is up an incredible 98% on December 2013 to #13 (also the result of scrappage schemes), the Mitsubishi Outlander up 49% to #15, the VW Jetta up 144% to break into the Russian Top 20 for the first time at #19, the Mitsubishi ASX up to a best-ever #20, Mazda CX-5 up 49% to #24 and the Opel Mokka up 148% to #25, the nameplate’s third ever appearance inside the Russian Top 25.

Mazda CX-5 – Mazda sales are up 61% year-on-year in December.

In the brands ranking, Lada is down a further 9% year-on-year to drop to 13% share, the brand’s lowest-ever level. Reversely, the next 6 best-selling manufacturers all gain ground: Kia is up 26% to #2, Nissan up 15% to #3, Renault up 2% to #4, Toyota up 19% to #5, Hyundai up 8% to #6 and Volkswagen up 2% to #7. Chevrolet tumbles down 28% in 8th position just above Mitsubishi lodging the largest YOY increase in the Top 10 at +51% to #9. Notice also Mazda up 61% to #13, Datsun passing Mercedes to #16 and now just below Skoda (!), Subaru up 59% to #24 and Infiniti (+69%) back above Lexus (+1).

Lifan Cellyia – Lifan breaks all its monthly Russian records in December.

Chinese manufacturers had taken a beating this year, but in December they seem to have flamboyantly recovered, potentially helped by the scrappage schemes making their low prices even lower. Lifan is up 21% year-on-year and 9 spots on November to #18 with 3,866 sales and 1.4% share, astoundingly hitting its best-ever ranking, volume and market share this month. Chery is up 39% and 10 ranks to #21, Geely up 5 spots on last month to #23 and Brilliance is up 129% on November to a best-ever #40 and 305 sales.

Previous month: Russia November 2014: Shock: Kia Rio first foreign model #1

One year ago: Russia December 2013: Lada Kalina #3 in market back in positive

Full December 2014 Top 25 models and Top 54 All-brands below.