Russia February 2020: Renault (+19.1%), Toyota (+16.6%), Haval (+127.2%) brave frozen conditions (-2.2%)

The Toyota RAV4 scores the largest gain in the Top 25, while the Mitsubishi Outlander (right) hits its highest ranking in almost 5 years. Picture zr.ru

New light vehicle sales in Russia endure a 9th year-on-year decline in the past 12 months in February at -2.2% to 119.073 units, tilting the year-to-date volume into negative territory at -0.5% to 218.442, however it is worth noting that BMW, Mercedes and Mini have stopped reporting Russian sales monthly and will only be included in the March 2020 article. Brand leaders Lada (-7.4%) and Kia (-3.5%) both fall slightly faster than the market to the contrary of Hyundai (+0.8%) rounding out the podium like last month. Below, Renault (+19.1%) and Toyota (+16.6%) are pushing hard and close out the Top 5, securing the largest gains among the Top 14 brands where only Audi (+10.7%), Mazda (+6.5%) and Volkswagen (+2.3%) also improve year-on-year. The success story of the past year, SUVmaker Haval (+127.2%), becomes the only Chinese brand in the past 10 years to rank inside the Russian Top 15 for more than one month. Geely (+42.6%) breaks its Russian ranking record for the 2nd straight month at #18, with Changan (+533.8%), Suzuki (+191.5%), FAW (+183.8%), Citroen (+39%), Cadillac (+38.8% and Porsche (+24.2%) also sporting splendid gains but never crossing the 0.5% share mark.

The Kia Rio is up to #2 for the 2nd time in 18 months and the Hyundai Creta (right) is the #1 SUV in Russia for the 43rd straight time. Picture zr.ru

Over in the models ranking, the Lada Granta (-9.6%) manages an 11th straight win but endures a second year-on-year fall in the past 4 months, potentially indicating Russia’s honeymoon with the facelifted best-seller is coming to an end. Reversely the Kia Rio (+17.8%) scores its largest year-on-year uptick since December 2018, clinking into the 2nd spot overall for only the 2nd time in the past 18 months alongside last August. The Lada Vesta (+1.8%) is pushed aside to #3 despite lodging a positive year-in-year result. Even as a new generation is about the be launched, the Hyundai Creta (+9.1%) is unshakeable as the best-selling SUV in Russia, a position it has held ever since its launch in August 2016 – that’s an incredible 43 consecutive months. Almost 3.000 units below, the Toyota RAV4 (+101.8%) 3peats as the #2 SUV in the country, distancing the VW Tiguan (+18.8%) and Nissan Qashqai (+26.1%) all in outstanding shape. The Mitsubishi Outlander surges back inside the Top 25 at #15, the nameplate’s highest ranking since August 2015. The Renault Logan (+15.2%), Mazda CX-5 (+14.9%) and Renault Sandero (+12.4%) also make (icy) waves this month.

Previous month: Russia January 2020: Toyota up 20.4%, Haval scores once-in-a-decade milestone in market up 1.8%

One year ago: Russia February 2019: Lada Granta up 54.1% to tighten domination in first market decline in 2 years

Full February 2020 Top 50 All-brands and Top 25 models below.