Ukraine August-September 2018: Renault Duster #1, first double-digit drop in 3 years

The Renault Duster is the best-selling vehicle in Ukraine so far in 2018.

* See the Top 50 All-brands and Top 270 All-models by clicking on the title *

Note this posts includes both August and September data but commentary focuses on September only.

After a 11.1% uptick in August leading to the largest volume of 2018 at 7.338, the Ukrainian new car market posts its 4th year-on-year decline in the past 12 months in September at -13.6% to 6.776. This is also the first double-digit drop in almost 3 years, since December 2015 (-29%). The year-to-date tally remains in positive though at +4.4% to 60.291 sales, the highest after 9 months since 2014 (76.700) but still down 63% on pre-Crimea crisis figures in 2013 (164.750).

Down to #2 in July and August, Toyota (-20%) reclaims the brands top spot it holds YTD despite a steep skid, dislodging Renault (-2%) from the pole position. Volkswagen (-34%) rallies back five ranks on last month to #3 but endures the harshest dive in the Top 20 alongside premium stablemate Audi (-61%). These freefalls are connected to the drying up of stop-sales U.S. stock of manipulated Golf and A3 that had been imported into Ukraine over the past year. Carmakers with a smile on their face this month include Fiat (+149%), Chery (+113%), Citroen (+71%) and Mitsubishi (+54%).

Over in the models ranking, the Renault Duster (+25%) cements its YTD leadership but owes its September win to just 3 additional sales vs. the Kia Sportage (+1%) tanking #3 YTD but leader in 2017. The new generation boosts the VW Polo up 72% year-on-year and 26 spots on August to #3, distancing the Toyota RAV4 (-22%) and Mazda CX-5 (+39%) making it four SUVs in the September Top 4. The Lexus NX (+444%), Fiat Tipo (+390%), Nissan Leaf (+185%), BMW X5 (+155%), Mitsubishi Outlander (+101%), Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (+93%) and Peugeot 301 (+87%) also shine in the Top 50.

Previous post: Ukraine July 2018: Sportage, Duster, Tucson: podium 100% SUV

One year ago (August): Ukraine August 2017: RAV4 and Duster catch up on Sportage

Full August and September 2018 Top 50 All-brands and Top 270 All-models below.