Russia June 2015: Lada Granta reclaims #1 spot at record 10% share

The Lada Granta hits its best-ever market share at home this month.

* See the Top 53 All-brands and Top 25 models by clicking on the title *

The Russian new car market reduces its fall slightly in June to a still very harsh -30% at 140.161 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 782.094 units, down an abysmal 36% on 2014. Like last month, we witness a consolidation of the market with the Top 3 manufacturers over-performing: Lada is down 12% to 18.8% share, Kia is down 18% to 9.9% and Hyundai is down 22% to 9.3%, all 3 adding up to 38% share vs. just 32% a year ago. Below, Renault (-39%), Toyota (-35%) and Volkswagen (-39%) tumble down while Nissan (-26%) stays afloat somewhat. GAZ is down just 1% in 8th place, while UAZ continues to surf on the SUV craze and is once again the only mass manufacturer to gain ground year-on-year at +13% to #11 and 2.8% share vs. #16 and 1.7% a year ago. Notice also Lexus 2% and Porsche down just 8%. At the other end of the scale, we have Jeep (-79%), Ssangyong (-75%), Great Wall (-73%), Citroen (-66%), Opel, Peugeot and Subaru (-65%).

Lada 4×4 sales are up 23% year-on-year in June.

In the models ranking, after being outsold by the Hyundai Solaris last month and knocked down to 2nd place for the third time in the past 7 months, the Lada Granta is back with a vengeance, up year-on-year for the first time in 2015 at +8% to 14.031 sales and a record 10% share, smashing its previous best of 8.9% reached last March. With the Hyundai Solaris down 12% and the Kia Rio actually up 3%, the Top 3 best-sellers hold a combined 22.4% market share vs. just 16.2% a year ago, demonstrating that the market consolidation we are witnessing in the brands ranking is also occurring among the favourite models in the country – a typical trait of markets in crisis where buyers opt for the safer option of trusted nameplates.

The Nissan X-Trail is up 106% year-on-year thanks to the new model.

Outside the podium, the only models registering year-on-year gains in the Top 25 are all SUVs. If the Renault Duster is back in the segment lead despite sales down 43% on a year ago, the Lada 4×4 is up a fantastic 23% to 3.023 sales and #8, the Toyota RAV4 is up 2% to #10, the Nissan X-Trail up 106% to #13 thanks to the new generation and the UAZ Patriot up 17% to #21. Notice also the Toyota Camry up 5 spots on May to #9, the Nissan Almera back up 9 ranks to #11 and the Mitsubishi Outlander posting a 2nd consecutive month within the Top 25 at #24.

Previous month: Russia May 2015: Hyundai Solaris outsells Lada Granta, Nissan X-Trail surges to #5

One year ago: Russia June 2014: Skoda Rapid lands in deteriorating market

Full June 2015 Top 53 All-brands and Top 25 models below.