Russia August 2015: Hyundai Solaris outsells Lada Granta again

The Hyundai Solaris is #1 in Russia for the third time in the past 4 months.

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

The Russian market decline slows down is August at -19% to 138.670 registrations, with the year-to-date total now standing at 1.051.851 deliveries, down 33% from 1.582.727 at the same time last year. The end of recession is however not in sight, with the latest drop in the value of the Ruble meaning car prices are bound to increase further later on during the year. Joerg Schreiber, Chairman of the AEB Automobile Manufacturers Committee commented: “get ready for another ride on the Russian roller coaster!” Not exactly what could be qualified as reassuring words.

Kia Rio sales are up a spectacular 50% year-on-year in August.

Home-grown Lada drops faster than the market at -24% to 20.174 units, resulting in a its lowest market share this year at 14.5% vs. 17.3% year-to-date and 15.4% a year ago. Only last November (13.3%) and December (13%) has Lada ever dropped lower at home. Reversely, Kia (+3%) and Hyundai (-6%) show insolent health at #2 and #3 respectively. Other carmakers improving their market share year-on-year include Chevrolet (-16%), Ford back inside the Top 10 at #9 thanks to sales up 18%, UAZ (+4%), Lexus (+58%), BMW (stable), Geely (+17%) now best-selling Chinese brand in Russia above Lifan (-25%) and Porsche (+63%).

The new model boosts Mitsubishi Outlander sales up 82% in Russia this month.

The Russian models ranking is going through a once-in-a-lifetime turnaround: the Hyundai Solaris manages once again to outsell all Ladas including the Granta to snap the pole position, posting an against-the-grain 16% year-on-year increase to 10.581 sales and 7.6% vs. 5.3% a year ago. The Solaris has now been the best-seller in Russia during 3 of the past 4 months. The Granta only owes its #2 ranking to a mere 81 units at 9.070 sales vs. 8.989 for the Kia Rio, up an even more impressive 50% to see its market share shoot up from 3.5% in August 2014 to 6.5% this month. This ‘Korean revolution’ was the subject of a full-blown article in Russia’s #1 car magazine/website Za Rulem, quoting BestSellingCarsBlog analysis.

The Toyota Prado hits an all-time high #23 this month in Russia.

Renault is the only carmaker to place two models inside the Russian Top 5 this month: the Logan at #4 (-17%) and the Duster at #5 (-20%) while the Sandero makes it three in the Top 10. The Lada Largus is back up 6 spots on July to #6 and drops only 4% year-on-year, the Chevrolet Niva surprises at +19% and #8, the Nissan Almera is up 22 to #9 but down 22% on a year ago, the Mitsubishi Outlander is up a fantastic 82% to #15 thanks to the new model, the Mazda CX-5 is up 20% to #16, the Chevrolet Cruze remains inside the Top 20 at #19 and 1.4% vs. 0.5% year-to-date and the Toyota Prado post a 2nd consecutive month (and ever) within the Top 25 at #23 (+32%).

Previous post: Russia July 2015: Now with the Top 100 best-sellers (BSCB exclusive)

Previous month: Russia July 2015: Hyundai Solaris and Kia Rio take root above all Ladas

One year ago: Russia August 2014: Renault Logan up to #4 in market down 26%

Full August 2015 Top 55 All-brands and Top 25 models below.