Ukraine March 2018: US-born VW Golf and Audi A3 continue to dominate

The secret is out: the sudden VW Golf and Audi A3 sales surge originates in the US.

* See the Top 50 All-brands and Top 235 All-models by clicking on the title *

New car sales in Ukraine disappoint in March, posting only their second year-on-year decline since January 2016 along with last November at -6.5% to 6.806 registrations. The Q1 volume remains in positive however at +13.8% to 19.297. Would sales in the country have already plateaued around the 100.000 annual mark whereas they reached 600.000 in 2008? In the brands ranking, Toyota (+14%) reclaims the top spot it holds YTD off Volkswagen (+39%) down to #2 but nevertheless still extremely impressive. Renault implodes 26% in third place above Nissan (+3%) while Audi surges 67% to #5 and Ravon is up 93% to #9. Further down, Tesla (+250%), Chery (+200%), JAC (+100%) and Mitsubishi (+77%) impress whereas Lada (-85%), Seat (-85%), Fiat (-69%), Kia (-61%), Jaguar (-52%), ZAZ (-51%), BMW (-50%), Land Rover (-48%) and Chevrolet (-47%) all suffer heavy losses.

In the models ranking, the VW Golf (+962%, +1037% YTD) and Audi A3 (+3356% and +4078% YTD) continue to dominate with indecent year-on-year progressions. Thanks to our correspondent in the country we now have an explanation for this sudden surge, and it’s a very unusual one, as far as we know the first such occurrence we have seen around the world. All these additional Golfs and A3 actually come from the USA, unsold new vehicles produced in 2015 or 2016 and affected by the diesel emissions scandal – and therefore banned for sale there – that somehow found a dubious way to reach new homes, in Ukraine. They are sold at cut-throat prices in Ukraine – for example such Golfs go for 18.000 to 21.500 USD, roughly 40% less than the 2018 model. The Toyota RAV4 (+15%), Renault Duster (+5%) and Toyota Camry (+97%) round up the Top 5 while the Hyundai Tucson (+34%), Nissan X-Trail (+87%) and Ravon R2 (+54%) also shine in the Top 10. Below, the Mercedes GLE (#13), Skoda Kodiaq (#15), Toyota C-HR (#24) and Hyundai Elantra (#28) make themselves noticed.

Previous month: Ukraine February 2018: VW Golf and Audi A3 top market up 20.8%

One year ago: Ukraine Full Year 2017: Sportage and Duster top market up 25%

Full March 2018 Top 50 All-brands and Top 235 All-models below.