In Russia a milestone is visible on the roads as over a million of certain car models are registered
Analysts from the market research firm Avtostat have identified a striking record: more than one million copies are officially registered for a select group of models in Russia. The two long-time leaders, the VAZ family sedans known for their enduring presence, the VAZ-2107 and VAZ-2106, consistently appear at the top of popularity charts across the country. On the date of July 1, 2022, the government registries documented one million five hundred sixty-two thousand seven hundred sixty units for the VAZ-2107 and one million forty thousand seven hundred sixty for the VAZ-2106, confirming their sustained dominance in the market over several decades. These figures were reported by Avtostat, a respected source for automotive data in Russia, and they reflect a broader pattern of household vehicle ownership and daily driving culture in the region.
Following closely behind, the Korean compact Kia Rio joined the ranks of the million-mile club, with its own register surpassing the one million mark. At present, roughly one million twenty-eight thousand examples are recorded as active on Russian roads, underscoring the popularity of compact, affordable vehicles among Russian families and individual buyers alike. The Rio’s ascent into this exclusive club is a testament to the model’s balance of reliability, fuel efficiency, and favorable price point during the period of its steep market penetration. This trend also illustrates how import models adapted to the Russian consumer’s preferences during a crucial window of automotive history.
Historically, the period between 2011 and 2015 is frequently highlighted as a peak era for the sedan category that eventually became firmly rooted in the Russian automotive landscape. It was during those years that a combination of improved manufacturing quality, favorable financing options, and a growing emphasis on domestic brands helped cement the enduring appeal of these sedans among both urban and rural buyers. The list of top sellers in Russia extends beyond the first three models and reveals a broader pattern of consumer choice and practical value. The Lada Niva, with about nine hundred sixty-four thousand units, and Hyundai Solaris, with roughly nine hundred twenty thousand units, reflect the popularity of compact, rugged, and reliable vehicles in varied terrain and climates across the country. The Lada 2110, registering around eight hundred one thousand units, along with Renault Logan at approximately seven hundred seventy-four thousand units, shows the enduring demand for affordable passenger cars with straightforward maintenance and familiar design cues. Other Lada variants such as the 2114 Samara-2 at about seven hundred sixty-one thousand and the Lada 2109 Samara at roughly seven hundred fifteen thousand further illustrate the breadth of the domestic lineup that resonated with many buyers. In total, industry observers note there are more than forty-five million cars registered in Russia, a figure that underscores the sheer scale of the consumer market and the importance of vehicle ownership in daily life. Within this landscape, the million-plus figure for the Kia Rio stands out as a notable achievement and a clear indicator of how non-domestic models can carve out substantial traction when they align with local preferences and price sensitivity.
- Incidentally, we recently calculated how much the maintenance of such a machine costs.
- Behind the wheel can be read in Odnoklassniki.