Russia August 2020: VW (+33.7%), Skoda (+28.5%), Hyundai (+24.2%), Chinese (+79.3%) can’t help new decline (-0.5%)

The new Polo (+60.5%) helps lift Volkswagen sales up 33.7% in August. Picture zr.ru

Just as total coronavirus cases in the country hit 1 million, making Russia the 4th country in the world to reach that milestone after the U.S., Brazil and India, new car sales in August tilt back into negative – but just – at -0.5% to 137.517 units, leading to a year-to-date tally down -16.9% to 880.198. Although July was in positive (+6.8%), we did anticipate a worse result for August and therefore have revised our 2020 Russia Forecast up from 1.51 million units (-14%) last month to 1.55 million (-12%). According to local manufacturers association AEB, state support measures to be implemented in September will provide a clearer indication on where Russia stands on the recovery dial as the Russian market remains unpredictable due in part to uncertainty surrounding currency levels and associated price fluctuations.

The Skoda Rapid PA II ranks #7 in Russia this month.

Local behemoth Lada (-4.6%) comfortably remains at the helm of its home brands ranking, but Kia (+6.9%) in 2nd place and especially Hyundai (+24.2%) and Volkswagen (+33.7%) in 3rd and 4th positions are spectacularly catching up for lost time, respectively securing 12.7% and 8.3% of the market vs. 10.9% and 6.8% so far in 2020. Hero of last month when it broke ranking, volume and share historical records, Skoda (+28.5%) remains extremely solid in 6th place. All remaining Top 10 brands bar UAZ (-9.7%) drop by the double-digits, with Nissan (-35.1%), GAZ (-27.1%) and Toyota (-21.8%) the hardest hit.

Geely (+141.1%) breaks into the Russian Top 15 for the first time in history.

The “Chinese invasion” continues in Russia: up 79.3% year-on-year as a whole to 3.7% share, they are led by Haval (+47%) repeating at a record #14, Geely (+141.1%) breaking into the Top 15 for the first time at #15 and becoming only the third Chinese carmaker to do so alongside Lifan (#15 in December 2015), Chery (+153.7%) hitting a record #18 and Changan (+230%) breaking into the Russian Top 20 for the first time. FAW (+132%) and Brilliance (+100%) also impress, as do Jeep (+93.7%), Cadillac (+79.5%), Volvo (+62.1%), Porsche (+51.5%) and Suzuki (+31.2%) in the rest of the market.

The new generation Solaris helps Hyundai up 24.2% this month.

In the models ranking, the Lada Granta (-5.2%) secures a 17th consecutive monthly win above the Lada Vesta (-8.7%) while the Kia Rio (+9.7%) reclaims the third spot it holds YTD. Despite the new generation not having hit Russian shores, the Hyundai Creta (+38.2%) surges ahead in 4th place but breathing on its neck is the VW Polo (+60.5%) boosted by a new generation which is in fact based on the Skoda Rapid PA II, itself ranking at an outstanding 7th place this month after breaking all the brand’s records in July, and shares its front bumper and hood panel with the Chinese Jetta VA3. Also helped by a new generation, the Hyundai Solaris gains 10.1% at #6, just as the VW Tiguan (+6.4%) leaps up two spots on last month to #8 and the Kia Seltos makes a third appearance inside the Russian Top 25 at #21 after last April (#24) and May (#20).

Previous month: Russia July 2020: Market back up 6.8%, Skoda (+68.7%) breaks all records thanks to new Rapid, Karoq

One year ago: Russia August 2019: Renault (+12.3%) surfs on Arkana success in market down -1.6%

Full August 2020 Top 53 All-brands and Top 25 models below.