Russian Light-Vehicle Sales Come on Strong in July

Russia’s new-vehicle sales continued their resurgence in July, rising 18.6% to 129,685 units and producing a 7-month total ahead 8.5% at 848,214.

Chairman Joerg Schreiber of the Association of European Businesses Automobile Manufacturers Committee, so long the voice of doom for a beleaguered industry, is becoming increasingly upbeat about the Russian outlook.

“Double-digit growth on the Russian car market continues for the third month in a row, unabated by the arrival of the peak holiday season,” Schreiber says in a statement.

“It appears that, finally, the middle-class buyer has woken up, encouraged by a brighter outlook on the economy and embracing the package of purchase incentives put together by the government.

“The recent sales trend is great news and (is) feeding the optimism that 2017 will indeed become a turn-around year for the industry.”

Lada continued to lead the market, up 22% in July at 26,502 units, ahead of Kia, gaining 37% at 16,187 and Hyundai, ahead 11% at 11,952.

After seven months, Lada was up 14% at 166,733 units, well clear of Kia, up 24% at 101,376, and Hyundai, ahead 10% at 82,540.

Ford ended the month in 10^th place, rising 24% to 4,104 units for a 7-month total up 8% at 26,011. Chevrolet dropped 4% to 2,483 units last month and was up 12 units year-on-year at 17,372.

Kia’s Rio was Russia’s best-selling model year-to-date. Deliveries of the subcompact sedan rose 10.8% to 8,456 units in July, ahead of Lada’s Granta, which jumped 28.4% to 8,134, and Hyundai’s Solaris, down 12.1% at 6,951.

Year-to-date, Rio topped the list, up 16% at 63,514 units. Granta followed, down 171 units at 50,130. Lada’s Vesta was third, up a hefty 46.3% at 41,086 units.

Chevrolet’s Niva made into the top 25 models in 15^th place in July despite slipping 5.1% to 2,416 units. After seven months Niva was in 11^th place, down 233 units at 16,852.