Russia January 2023: Market off -63.1%, Lada up to 53.7% share, Haval (14%), Geely (10.8%) smash share records

There are five Haval models in the Passenger Car Top 10 in January. Picture zr.ru

The Russian new car market implodes -63.1% year-on-year in January to just 32,499 sales. As most foreign carmakers have now exited this market, the remaining brands with significant sales are either Russian or Chinese. Lada (-3.2%) only edges down to reach 53.7% share, its highest since economic sanctions were implemented against Russia last year and a level unseen in 20 years: since 2003 when the manufacturer held 59.5% of its home market. Haval (+43.1%) and Geely (+87.9%) manage market-defying surges to rank #2 with 14% and #3 with 10.8% share respectively, all records. GAZ (-31.7%), Kia (-88.5%) and UAZ (-10.6%) follow and no other manufacturer manages a share above 1.5%. Notice Sollers, formerly a joint-venture with Ford and Mazda and owner of UAZ, up to #15 for its second month of sales.

Sollers lineup

Model-wise, the Lada Granta (+115.4%) more than doubles its sales year-on-year to reach a record 36.6% share. It is followed by the Lada Niva (+93.7%) up to 15.2% share, which is the highest in the nameplate’s 45 year history. The Geely Coolray (+138.2%) does even better and lands on the third step of the podium with 5.7% share, both ranking and share records. At #4, the Haval Jolion (+8%) equals its ranking record with the GAZ Gazelle (-33.1%) rounding out the Top 5. In fact there are five Haval models in the Passenger Car Top 10, with the F7 (+18.9%), F7X (+83.9%), H9 (+59.5%) and Dargo (new) in tow. The Geely Atlas Pro (+182%) and Tugella (+55.9%) also rank high up. Notice the Lada Vesta (-95%) likely discontinued in a strange move by the manufacturer. The Changan CS35 Plus (#20), FAW Bestune T77 (#24) and DFM Captain-T (#25) are the first models of each brand to make their way into the Russian Top 25.

Previous post: Russia 2022: Market collapses -58.8%, Russian and Chinese carmakers stronger

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

Full January 2023 Top 35 all brands and Top 33 models below.