According to the Association of European Businesses (AEB) statistics, the sales of new cars and light commercial vehicles in Russia in January-April 2020 declined by 19.1% year-on-year making 415.1 thousand units. In April, the sales of new cars and light commercial vehicles plummeted 76% year-on-year down to 38.9 thousand.
“After exceptionally high March sales, in April 2020, dealer operations forced to be stopped or extremely limited with the COVID-19 related lockdown situation. With -72.4% sale decrease compared to same month last year, the Russian automotive industry experienced the strongest monthly sales decrease in the AEB statistics history. “Black April” 2020 strongly challenged dealer liquidity and mid-term even their sustainability. New reality forces all of us to try different creative communication and sales formats to stay close to customers. Dealers are preparing for restart, although I do not expect much better sales results in May”, Thomas Staertzel, Chairman of the AEB Automobile Manufacturers Committee, commented.
There were some drastic changes in the Top-5 brands in April. Lada remained the leader of the Russian car market with its sales decreasing by 70.9% year-on-year down 9.4 thousand units.
KIA continued to rate the second with its sales amounting to 4.3 thousand cars, down 78.1% year-on-year.
Renault saw its sales drop by 75% year-on-year down to 3.1 thousand units and moved to the third position in the rating.
Volkswagen moved up to the fourth position with its sales down 67.6% to 3.09 thousand units.
Škoda ranked the fifth forcing both Toyota and Hyundai out of the Top 5. Its sales in April made 3.04 thousand units, down 58.7% year-on-year.
None of the brands present in Russia demonstrated a positive sales trend in April.