Russia November 2019: Skoda (+10.5%), GAZ (+24.6%) resist in 9th sales drop in past 10 months (-6.4%)

The Kodiaq (+26.8%) helps Skoda up 10.5% in Russia this month.

The Russian new light vehicle market has now officially run out of gas, enduring a 9th year-on-year drop in the past 10 months in November at -6.4% to 156.848 units, leading the year-to-date tally down -2.8% to 1.580.297. We are far from this market’s highest annual volumes of 2.9 million in 2012 and 2.7 million in 2008, which has prompted the government to announce yet another stimulus package for 2020. Lada (-7.3%) roughly matches the market to drop just under the 20% share bar this month, with #2 Kia (-6.7%) behaving similarly at 12.5% share vs. 13.2% YTD. Hyundai (+2.7%) is the only Top 5 brand in positive but simply levels its share (10.4%) with its YTD level, followed by Renault (-5.1%) and Volkswagen (-10%) which replicates the YTD order. Skoda (+10.5%) continues to swim upstream with a second consecutive double-digit year-on-year gain, as does local LCV specialist GAZ (+24.6%). In contrast, Nissan (-32.3%) and Toyota (-11.8%) are in dire straits in the remainder of the Top 10.

Below, Haval (+220.9%) cements its newfound status of Russia’s Chinese darling but drops slightly on its record October volume, keeping Geely (+126.5%) in tow just as the perennial Chinese leader in Russia Lifan (-88.2%) disintegrates. Chery (100.3%), Changan (+1476.7%), FAW (+49.6%) and Brilliance (+146.7%) prove the Chinese are currently enjoying somewhat of a renaissance in Russia even though none of the aforementioned brands manages a share superior to 0.4%. Some luxury brands also have a smile on their face this month such as Mercedes (+19.6%), BMW (+18.5%), Mini (+15.1%), Porsche (+7.6%), Genesis (+7.3%) and Volvo (+5.6%), but these are tough times for mainstream fares, unless you are Smart (+61.1%), Suzuki (+47.5%), Citroen (+5.6%) or Peugeot (+2.9%).

Model-wise, the Lada Granta (-5.6%) is the best-seller for the 8th month in a row, the 13th time in the past 15 months and the 53rd time overall, by far the most of any nameplate in Russia over the past decade. The Lada Vesta (-12.1%) reclaims the #2 spot it holds YTD off the Kia Rio (-9.4%) while the Hyundai Creta (+7%) has never felt better, celebrating an incredible 40th consecutive month as Russia’s best-selling SUV, with no interruption since its August 2016 launch. The VW Tiguan (+6.6%) repeats at record #7, marking 6 Top 10 finishes in the past 7 months just as the Skoda Octavia (+43.2%), still in runout mode before the arrival of a new generation, manages a 2nd consecutive – and ever – Top 10 finish. The Skoda Kodiaq (+26.8%) lofts its ranking record to #17, enjoying a 5th ever Top 20 finish and the Renault Arkana (#25) is among Russia’s 25 best-seller for the third time ever after last August (#23) and October (#25).

Previous month: Russia October 2019: GAZ (+19.7%), Skoda (+16.9%), Haval (+322.9%) impress in market down -5.2%

One year ago: Russia November 2018: Lada Granta (+78%) rallies back to #1 thanks to facelift, teases Vesta YTD

Full November 2019 Top 53 All-brands and Top 25 models below.