Russian New-Vehicle Sales Surge 15% in November

The Russian automotive market’s revival continued in November with new-vehicle sales growing 15% year-on-year to 152,259 units.

The Association of European Businesses Automobile Manufacturers Committee says the latest result left the year-to-date total up 11.7% at 1,430,197 units.

Committee Chairman Joerg Schreiber says November’s deliveries put another firm stake in the ground of the Russian car market’s recovery path.

“It is well worth remembering that exactly one year ago, we were still looking at a cumulative minus of 12%.” Schreiber says in a statement. “(It’s) quite some progress in a short period of time. One month to go before we know how good the current year finally was, and where the starting line for 2018 will be.”

Lada continued to lead the market with November sales up 14% at 29,163 units, ahead of Kia, up 10% at 16,106 and Hyundai, down 3% at 15,284.

With one month to go, Lada sales were up 17% year-on-year at 279,008 units. Kia was a distant second, ahead 24% at 168,736 units, followed by Hyundai, up 9% at 142,881.

Ford finished the month 10th in sales, up 29% at 4,992 units for an 11-month total ahead 16% at 44,655.

Kia’s Rio appears on track to be Russia’s top-selling model this year, despite a drop in November. The subcompact car edged down 2.7% to 8,180 units for an 11-month total up 13.6% at 90,491.

Lada’s Vesta narrowed the gap with a 42.5% jump for the month to 8,066 units, leaving it in third place year-to-date, up 4.4% at 69,336.

Lada’s Granta finished the month in third after dropping 12.2% year-on-year to 7,474 units, but remained in second place after 11 months, up 5.6% at 83,384.