In January 2024, Chinese brand Haval emerged as the top car brand in Russia according to data from the analytics agency Avtostat. The market shift highlighted Haval’s growing appeal among Russian buyers and its rising share of the local automotive market.
During the first month of the year, Haval sold 9.6 thousand vehicles in Russia, a figure more than double what was recorded in the same period the year before. This surge positioned Haval as the leading foreign automaker in the country and pushed its market share to 12 percent for January, up from 9.1 percent in the previous year. The results underscore a notable acceleration in demand for Chinese brands in Russia and signal a broader shift in consumer preference toward more affordable, well-equipped models.
The Jolion crossover stood out as the most popular Haval model in Russia for January, with sales reaching 4.3 thousand units. Close behind was the Haval M6 crossover, which moved about 2 thousand vehicles. In third place among Haval models was the Haval Dargo crossover with roughly 1.3 thousand units sold. These figures illustrate how specific crossovers are driving momentum for the brand in the Russian market and shaping consumer choices within the portfolio.
Overall, January 2024 saw 65.2 thousand new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles sold in Russia. When considering alternative supply channels, a major competitor emerged in the passenger segment: Lada, with about 83 thousand new units sold, reached a monthly pace of around 22.3 thousand cars. Lada’s share declined from 39 percent in the prior month to about 28 percent in January, reflecting ongoing market realignments and the competitive dynamics among domestic and foreign brands.
Automotive expert Igor Morzharetto has noted that the Russian auto market appears to be stabilizing after recent disruptions and is gradually approaching pre-crisis levels. This assessment aligns with the observed performance of Haval and other brands as consumer confidence returns and buyers respond to value, reliability, and a broad model lineup. The January 2024 data thus point to a cautious but optimistic trend for the market, with foreign brands expanding their footprint while domestic players adapt to evolving demand patterns.