Russia October 2020: Lada (+22.4%), Chinese (+59.3%) help pull largest sales gain this year (+7%), Kia K5 in Top 25

The Kia K5 breaks into the Russian Top 25 for the first time in October.

The Russian new light vehicle market is up a robust 7% year-on-year in October to 154.164 units: that’s the largest year-on-year gain of any month in 2020, eclipsing July (+6.8%). Note BMW and Mercedes now report quarterly for Russia. The AEB Automobile Manufacturers Committee believes this strong result is pulled by the largest manufacturers, most flexible with deliveries thanks to domestic production infrastructure. The AEB expects two strong months in November and December and a 2020 Russia Forecast at 1.522 million units (-13.5%). We are more optimistic at 1.57 million units (-11%).

Lada (+22.4%) triples the market growth and remains by far the most popular carmaker at home with 24% share vs. 22.3% so far in 2020. Kia (+5.3%), Hyundai (-2.5%) and Renault (+5%) all slightly underperform but complete the Top 4 as they did in FY2019 and as they do so far in 2020. Skoda (+13.5%) is the only additional double-digit gainer in the Top 7 and  is followed this month by Volkswagen (+5.6%) and Toyota (+2.1%). Nissan (+107.4%) compensates for particularly weak year-ago volumes but remains very close to its YTD level at 3.8% share vs. 3.9% so far this year.

Last month Geely (+119.4%) hit the highest ever Russian ranking for a Chinese carmaker at #12 and in October it almost reiterates that historical feat, dropping just one spot to a splendid 13th place and 1.3% share .Ford (+42.4%) rallies back thanks to its LCV range while Haval (+5.9%) climbs back above Chery (+120.4%) still euphoric thanks to a slew of new models. Changan (+91.6%) is down two ranks on a record #20 last month to #22, with Foton (+188.9%), FAW (+109.3%), Cadillac (+98.7%), Hyundai LCV (+92.9%), Fiat (+43.2%), Isuzu (+30.7%), Citroen (+18.7%), Iveco (+12.5%), Jeep (+10.8%) and Brilliance (+10.8%) making sparks further down. All-in-all, Chinese brands shoot up 59.3% to 6.552 sales and 4.3% share vs. 4.4% last month.

Model-wise, both the Lada Granta (+8.9%) and even more impressively the Lada Vesta (+42.9%) outpace their home market to cement their domination. In fact, the entire Top 6 models are unchanged on last month and YTD, with the Hyundai Creta (-1.7%), VW Polo (+20%) and Hyundai Solaris (+16%) in tow. The Toyota RAV4 (+113.6%) scores the largest gain in the Top 15 at #9 thanks to the new generation, with the Nissan X-Trail (+187.7%), Renault Kaptur (+26.6%), Kia Sportage (+25.9%), Avtovaz Niva (+22.4%), Renault Logan (+19%), Hyundai Tucson (+16.3%) and Lada 4×4 (+15.3%) also very dynamic in the remainder of the Top 25. Among new launches, the Skoda Rapid PA II secures a 4th consecutive month inside the Russian Top 10 but is down one further spot to #10, the Skoda Karoq secures its 4th ever Top 25 finish at #23 while the boldly-designed Kia K5 brilliantly replaces the Optima and breaks into the Russian Top 25 at #25.

Previous month: Russia September 2020: Volumes up 3.4%, Skoda (+31%) shines, Geely up to Chinese record #12

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

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