Russia January 2022: Kia Rio best-seller, Haval and Chery both in Top 10 for the first time

The Kia Rio is the best-selling vehicle in Russia in January. Picture zr.ru

New light vehicle sales in Russia edge down -3.7% year-on-year in January to 91,662 units. Market leaders Lada (-17.4%) and Kia (-18.1%) are in a bit of trouble this month but retain the top two spots. Hyundai (+3.7%) steps up two ranks on December to round out the podium, dislodging Renault (-7%) while Toyota (+14.9%) is down two spots to #5 but scores the best performance in the Top 5. Nissan (+30%) is also in outstanding shape but once again it’s the Chinese that secure the largest gains: Haval (+102.2%) and Chery (+47.3%) both fit within the Russian Top 10 for the first time in history. Further down, Cheryexeed (+895.1%), Geely (+235.7%), GAC (+200%), Genesis (+166.7%), Opel (+144.6%), Mitsubishi (+119.2%), Infiniti (+108.7%) and Changan (+88.2%) stand out. All-in-all, Chinese carmakers are up 107% year-on-year in January to 9,553 sales and 10.4% share, one of only four times they have managed to cross the symbolic 10% mark.

Third consecutive Top 20 finish in Russia for the Haval Jolion.

The cards are redistributed in the models ranking this month: the Kia Rio (-20.1%) climbs to the top spot for the first time in exactly a year: since January 2021. The Lada Vesta (-6.2%) and Granta (-28.4%) are both down one spot on their FY2021 at #2 and #3 respectively. The Hyundai Solaris (+40.7%) rallies back up 10 ranks on December to #4 while the Hyundai Creta (-27.2%) reclaims the title of best-selling SUV in Russia at #5 overall ahead of the Renault Duster (+4.6%), Toyota RAV4 (+19%) and Lada Niva (-9%). In ranking order, the GAZ Gazelle (+18.4%), Nissan Qashqai (+37.9%), Kia Seltos (+16.7%), Toyota Camry (+30.5%) and Nissan X-Trail (+47%), Mitsubishi Outlander (+93.1%), Chery Tiggo 7 Pro (+34.2%) and Renault Arkana (+37.2%) also secure very satisfying gains in the remainder of the Top 25. Finally the Haval Jolion enjoys a third consecutive month inside the Russian Top 20 at #19.

Previous post: Russia Full Year 2021: Lada Vesta reclaims top spot, Chinese up 102.3%, market up 4.3%

One year ago: Russia January 2021: Chery & Haval break records, Lada Niva up in market down -4.2%

Full January 2022 Top 50 All-brands and Top 25 models below.