According to the Association of European Businesses (AEB) statistics, the sales of new cars and light commercial vehicles in Russia during January-October 2021 increased by 6,9% year-on-year and to make more than 1.4 mn units. In October alone, 125.5 thousand cars and light commercial vehicles were sold, down 20.4% year-on-year and down 0.6% month-on-month.
“In November, 125 466 cars were sold, 20,4% less than a year ago. Still the YoY result Jan-Nov 2021 is positive with 1 439 045 new cars sold, which is 6,9% higher than during the same period of 2020. Usually, December is a good month for car sales, but this year is different and it also seems that this trend will continue during the next year with even worse figures in the coming months,” Thomas Staertzel, Chairman of the AEB Automobile Manufacturers Committee, commented.
“On top of all negative market factors, such as production decrease, deficit of semiconductors and logistics problems, the Government initiates legal acts, which might make the situation even worse – the published draft Order of the Government envisages almost 9 times increase of the disposal fee for e-vehicles. Together with the announced non-extension of the zero import duty on e-vehicles, this measure will substantially undermine the development of this market segment, which has just started to grow in Russia. Unfortunately, this measure has not been discussed with the industry. We believe that the adoption of this Order will increase prices of e-vehicles for end-customers and slow down their sales dynamic as well as the development of the charging infrastructure,” he said.
Lada remained the leader of the Russian car market in November 2021 with its sales down 30.7% year-on-year to 26.4 thousand units.
KIA rated the second with its sales down 30.9% year-on-year to 14.5 thousand cars.
Hyundai was the third with its sales amounting to 14.4 thousand cars, down 17.5% year-on-year.
Renault ranked the fourth, its sales declined by 14.5% year-on-year down to 11.8 thousand units.
Toyota remained in the fifth position with its sales down 7.2% year-on-year to 7.6 thousand units.
The brands that increased their sales the most were Genesis (up 11.4-fold), Chevrolet (up 4.5-fold), Cheryexeed (up 3.9-fold), Haval (up 3-fold), and Chery (up 2.7-fold).
The brands that saw their sales decline the most were Foton commercial vehicles (-96%), Brilliance (-89%), Lifan (-60%), Subaru (-63%), Jaguar (-60%), and Lexus (-59%).