Russian New-Vehicle Sales Slip Into Reverse in April
Perhaps reflecting the growing tensions between the U.S. and Russia over the Ukraine crisis, Ford Focus deliveries plunged 54% in April to 2,549 units. Year-to-date Focus sales retreated 51% from like-2013 to 10,923 units.
Russian new-vehicle sales dropped 8% to 226,526 units in April, dragging the year-to-date result down 4% to 829,046.
Releasing the figures, Joerg Schreiber, chairman of the Association of European Businesses’ Automobile Manufacturers Committee, says the market is falling back into negative territory after a brief spell of recovery.
“It is obvious that recent price increases forced by a weaker ruble are taking their toll on consumer demand, which had been fragile to begin with,” Schreiber says in a statement. “In the framework of a sluggish economy, this situation is unlikely to change.”
Lada’s sales slump outpaced the market, down 16% year-on-year in April to 37,030 units for a 4-month total down 15% to 128,633.
Renault followed with a 9% sales slide to 17,395 units for a year-to-date result off 5% to 63,647.
Kia eased 3% to 17,744 units, bringing sales on the year to 60,038 and level with 60,033 in like-2013.
Among the U.S. contingent, Chevrolet ranked sixth in April with deliveries down 17% to 13,279 units, putting it in seventh place for the year, down 7% to 48,586. Fellow General Motors brand Opel was 11th with sales slipping 6% to 6,493 units and a 4-month total off 8% to 24,493.
Ford tumbled 38% to 5,387 units for a year-to-date result down 30% to 22,760.
The AvtoVAZ-Renault-Nissan group continued to dominate the Russian market with April sales down 7% to 67,036 units and a 4-month total falling 5% to 292,573.
The Volkswagen Group followed as its deliveries fell 10% for the month to 24,326 units for a year-to-date result down 5% to 89,425.
The GM Group retained third place as April sales decreased 14% to 19,926 units for a 4-month result off 8% to 73,572.
Among individual models, Lada’s Granta continued to lead the market despite falling 16% during the month to 13,077 units. After four months it was down 14% to 45,570. Hyundai’s Solaris followed, down 7% in April to 9,774 units and sliding 2% year-to-date to 35,218.
The top-selling U.S. model was the Chevrolet Niva, holding 10th place after falling 13% in April to 4,983 units for a year-to-date total down 12% to 15,534.
Perhaps reflecting the growing tensions between the U.S. and Russia over the Ukraine crisis, Ford Focus deliveries plunged 54% in April to 2,549 units to put it 18th on the sales chart. Year-to-date the Focus sank 51% from like-2013 to 10,923 units.
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