Russia July 2021: Chery and Kia K5 break into Top 10, Geely Coolray first Chinese in Top 25, sales off -6.5%

The Kia K5 breaks into the Russian Top 10 in July. Picture zr.ru

The Russian new car market reverses -6.5% year-on-year in July to 132.640 units, meaning the year-to-date tally is now up 28.4% to 953.760. Local behemoth Lada (+2.7%) bucks the negative trend to score the only year-on-year gain in the Top 7 at 24.1% share vs. 24.3% year-to-date. Kia (-5.4%) reclaims the 2nd spot off Hyundai (-6.5%) while Renault (-3.3%) remains in 4th place. Skoda (-35.8%) and Toyota (-11.1%) overtake Volkswagen (-33.2%), all losing significant share year-on-year. GAZ (+29.2%) delivers a very solid result in 8th place. Once again Chery (+248.3%) is the best performing brand near the top and this time it cracks the overall Russian Top 10 for the very first time at a record #10 with a record 3.009 sales and a record 2.3% share. Meanwhile Haval (+60%) drops one spot to #11, equalling its share record at 2.2%. Keep in mind BMW and Mercedes don’t share monthly volumes anymore as they only report quarterly and would traditionally rank inside the Top 10 or thereabouts. Below, UAZ (+10.4%) is strong, Geely (+87%) is up to #13 and breaks its share record at 1.9% (previous best was 1.4% in September 2020 when it ranked #12), with Audi (+21.2%), Suzuki (+32.4%), Peugeot (+43.8%), Land Rover (+43.1%), Genesis (+257.3%), Cadillac (+96.7%) and Opel (+213%) all impressive further down. 

The Geely Coolray is believed to be the first Chinese nameplate to crack the Russian Top 25.

Over in the models ranking, the Lada Granta (-4.9%) remains the most popular vehicle in the country but the Lada Vesta (+4.2%) is catching up 662 units below. The Kia Rio (-19.8%) is back up two spots on June to return to the third place it holds year-to-date, distancing the Hyundai Creta (-26.3%) and Solaris (+12.7%) whose evolutions are polar opposites. The Lada Niva (+28.8%) continues to benefit from the facelift of the vehicle formerly known as the Chevrolet Niva, with the Renault Duster (+16.9%) also strong and surfing on the launch of the new generation. The Kia K5 breaks into the Russian Top 10 for the very first time less than a year after its launch at #9. Models managing a year-on-year gain in the remainder of the Top 25 include, in sales order, the Toyota Camry (+4.9%), Renault Logan (+3.6%), Lada XRAY (+8.6%), Kia Seltos (+227.4%), Mitsubishi Outlander (+22.3%) and the Geely Coolray (+200.2%) breaking into the Russian Top 25 for the first time at #24. The Coolray is believed to be the first Chinese nameplate in Russian history to feature in the Top 25.

Previous month: Russia June 2021: Hyundai up to #2, Haval breaks records again, market up 28.7%

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

Full July 2021 Top 50 All-brands and Top 25 models below.