Russia April 2022: Economic sanctions see market imploding -78.5%

The Lada Niva, including the Niva Classic pictured, is up to #3 in Russia in April.

As economic sanctions levelled at Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine start to take full effect, notably triggering rampant inflation and an exodus of carmakers from the country, the local new light vehicle market accelerates its fall and implodes -78.5% year-on-year in April. At 32,706 units, this is even lower than the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic (38,922 sales in April 2020). The year-to-date volume now stands at 293,846 units, off -43% over the same period in 2021. The Top 3 brands lodge higher market shares than their YTD level. Leader Lada (-77.6%) follows the market but sees its share soar to 26% vs. 20.8% so far this year. Kia (-75.9%) is up to 14.1% vs. 13% YTD and Hyundai (-73.2%) is up to 12.7% vs. 11.6 YTD. Renault (-84%) falls faster than the market at #4 whereas locals GAZ (-61.5%) and UAZ (-36.4%) gain significant share thanks to reduced falls. Mitsubishi (-58.2%) also resists and gains 7 spots on March to land at #8. Haval (-72.9%) is up two ranks to #10 but Volkswagen (-91.3%) and Skoda (-89.3%) are hit full frontal. Further down, Ford (-51.4%), Changan (-40.6%), Genesis (-51.4%), FAW (-56.3%) are among the rare carmakers outpacing the market while Cheryexeed (+101.5%) and Isuzu (+32.8%) are actually up. As a whole Chinese carmakers drop -69% to 8.4% share vs. 9.4% YTD.

Over in the models ranking, Lada monopolises the podium for the first time since October 2012 (Granta-Priora-Kalina). The Lada Granta (-81.5%), Vesta (-82.3%) and Niva (-63.7%) are in the lead, the latter hitting its best monthly ranking in at least 10 years. However the Kia Rio, down -76.3% to #5 for the month, remains the best-seller year-to-date with a 419-sale advantage. The Hyundai Solaris (-65.1%) is up two spots on March to #4 just as the GAZ Gazelle (-67.7%) is down one to #6. In a favourable environment for LCVs, the UAZ Classic Commercial (-19.8%) manages the best hold in the Top 10 – and Top 20  – while the Renault Logan (+10 to #8) at -75.1% and Lada Largus PC (-75.8%) manage to hold slightly better than the market unlike the Hyundai Creta (-82%). Further down, thanks to the new generation the Hyundai Tucson is up 9-fold year-on-year to #24, while the GAZ Sobol (-25.6%), Kia Ceed (-44%), Kia Cerato (-51.2%), Ford Transit (51.4%), UAZ Patriot (-54.9%), Kia Seltos (-61.6%) and Mitsubishi Outlander (-65.9%) all beat the market. Note Kia manages to place a record 7 models inside the April Top 30.

Previous month: Russia March 2022: Market collapses -62.9% as sanctions bite

One year ago: Russia April 2021: Haval confirms Top 10 finish in market up 2.5% on two years ago

Full April 2022 Top 45 All-brands and Top 30 models below.