Russian Auto Sales Climb 15% in August, 14% on Year

Russia’s new-vehicle market continues booming, with sales climbing 15% to an August-record 258,761 units, pushing the 8-month total 14% higher to 1.93 million.

The Association of European Businesses Automobile Manufacturers Committee says last month’s result was up 33,950 units and the year-to-date total ahead 242,154 compared with year-ago.

“Robust growth in the double-digit percentage range goes on, despite recent hikes in household utility costs and a widespread expectation among consumers that prices of imported cars would drop following (World Trade Organization) entry,” committee Chairman Joerg Schreiber says in a statement.

“(With) the traditionally strong autumn season just beginning, we have all reason to remain optimistic for continued sales momentum in the remaining months of the year.”

The venerable Lada continued to dominate the market despite flat sales. The brand’s August deliveries showed a 0.04% uptick to 51,149 units as its 8-month total tumbled 11% to 348,974.

Chevrolet sales improved 39% for the month to 19,742 units and to 135,497 year-to-date, up 21%.

Lada stakeholder Renault saw August deliveries rise 4% to 12,315 units for third place, and its 8-month total improved 25% to 124,517.

Ford finished last month with sales jumping 28% to 10,722 units, giving it a 19% increase to 84,477 for ninth place after eight months.

The AvtoVAZ-Renault-Nissan alliance’s volume for the month edged up 4% to 77,368 units for an 8-month total creeping up 1% to 585,079.

Second-place Volkswagen Group’s year-on-year August sales jumped 43% to 26,354 units and its 8-month performance surged 53% to 206,357.

Third-place General Motors saw deliveries grow 31% last month to 27,295 units and 23% to 191,599 after eight months. Besides the Chevrolet result, sales of the Opel brand rose 18% to 7,412 for an 8-month total up 27% to 54,578, while Cadillac plunged 45% to 141, and year-to-date sales slowed 10% to 1,524.

The market-leading Lada Kalina dropped to a distant third place in August, with sales down 30% to 8,529 units and an 8-month total off 11% to 87,198.

The Lada Priora was last month’s top seller despite a 9% drop to 12,647 units compared with year-ago, and it retained second place in the first eight months with 82,910, a 12% decline.

Hyundai’s Solaris remained ranked fourth in August with a 5% advance to 7,953 units, and ranked third through eight months with deliveries climbing 32% to 75,334.

The Ford Focus showed a 53% jump last month to 7,690 units, good for an 8-month total up 23% to 60,550.

Chevy Cruze deliveries in August showed a 64% increase over like-2011 to 6,038 units, and was in 10^th place year-to-date with a 75% surge to 41,357.

Kia’s New Rio, boosted by a 152% spike in August sales to 6,602 units, occupied sixth place on the year with 56,425.

Chinese brands made further inroads into the Russian market.

Chery sales soared 247% to 2,219 units in August for an 8-month result up 256% to 12,479. Geely deliveries surged 334% to 2,083 units, boosting its year-to-date total 260% to 10,067. Great Wall posted a 158% year-on-year increase to 1,262 units for the month and a total thus far this year up 128% to 8,306.