Russia March 2019: Lada Vesta reclaims #1 spot, breaks records in market back up (+1.8%)

The Lada Vesta breaks its volume and share records this month.

Government subsidies for lower- priced vehicles launched this month enable the Russian market to return a slim uptick with March registrations up 1.8% to 160.180, however this isn’t enough to tilt the YTD volume into positive at -0.6% to 391.650. Homegrown leader Lada (+10.1%) blissfully ignores the stalling market improving its share to 21.1%, with Kia (+2.4%) and Toyota (+3.5%) also outpacing the market in the Top 5. Renault (-7.1%) and Hyundai (-2.3%) aren’t that lucky. Below, Suzuki (+123.5%), Volvo (+46.3%), Mazda (+35.4%), Nissan (+27.1%), Datsun (+21.3%) and BMW (+19.9%) all post stellar performances. The Chinese continue to climb up: Geely (+337.4%) is the best-seller this month ahead of Haval (+253.2%) both outselling perennial leader Lifan (-62.8%) now imploding for lack of new launches. Genesis (+90.5%), Jeep (+51.8%), Porsche (+42.9%) and Dongfeng (+35.2%) also make themselves noticed.

The X-Trail (+60%) helps Nissan Russian sales soar 27.1% in March.

Over in the models ranking, the Lada Vesta (+40%) reclaims the top spot for the first time since last October, reaching record volume (12.850) and market share (8%) and eclipsing the Lada Granta (+24.4%) still very valiant and holding onto the YTD pole position for a mere 738 units. This is the Vesta’s 6th ever monthly win, placing it at the same level as the Lada Classic this decade. Since January 2010, the Lada Granta has nabbed the #1 spot 45 times (last in February 2019), the Kia Rio 16 times (last in May 2018), Lada Priora 12 times (last in August 2012), Hyundai Solaris 11 times (last in July 2016), Lada Kalina 11 times (last in July 2012), Lada Vesta 6 times (last in March 2019), Lada Classic 6 times (last in March 2011) and Lada Samara 3 times (last in December 2011). The Nissan Qashqai (+88.9%), X-Trail (+60%), Kia Optima (+37.6%), Toyota Camry (+34.1%), Lada 4×4 (+30.7%), Datsun on-DO (+24%), Kia Sportage (+18.8%), Lada Largus (+11.5%) and Renault Logan (+10.9%) post the largest gains in the Top 25.

Previous post: Russia Full Year 2018: Now with Top 330 All-models ranking

Previous month: Russia February 2019: Lada Granta up 54.1% to tighten domination in first market decline in 2 years

One year ago: Russia March 2018: Lada and Mitsubishi shine in market up 13.9%

Full March 2019 Top 50 All-brands and Top 25 models below.