Russia’s February car market, as tallied by the Association of European Businesses, shows a total of 41,851 passenger cars and light commercial vehicles sold, marking a year over year rise of 62.1 percent. The month underscores a rebound in demand after a softer period, with domestic models leading the way in the rankings and foreign brands continuing to build momentum despite the broader market softness.
The two strongest sellers were the Lada Granta, with 16,257 units sold, and the Lada Niva, at 6,632 units. The UAZ Patriot followed, contributing 462 units to round out the top three, and the market takeaway is clear: volumes remained concentrated among traditional, locally assembled models while competition from foreign brands grew in parallel. Beyond these familiar names, a significant share of the top ten featured Chinese-brand vehicles, illustrating a shift in consumer preference toward known compact and crossover options with competitive pricing and features.
Specifically in the China-born segment, the Naval Jolion led the charge with 2,445 units, followed by the Geely Coolray at 2,366 units and the Geely Atlas Pro at 1,269. The Haval lineup showed strong performance as well, with the F7X ranking at 1,212 and the F7 at 910 units. Other notable entries included the Changan CS25Plus at 545 and the Haval Dargo at 535 units. Together, these models contributed to a broader diversification in the market, signaling growing consumer openness to international options within the compact SUV and crossover categories. These trends align with a broader shift toward value-packed vehicles that deliver modern features and practicality at accessible prices. The data reflects a market that remains resilient and increasingly nuanced in its brand mix, even amid a wider downturn in overall automotive sales.
It is important to note that there are discrepancies between this data and the figures from Avtostat. The divergence arises because Chery models are not included in Avtostat’s statistics, which can yield slightly different totals when comparing sources. Analysts emphasize cross-source awareness when interpreting monthly market results, especially for brands that report selectively to different agencies. This nuance helps explain why some outlets present minor variations in the top-10 lineup or total market volume. Readers should consider multiple data feeds to form a balanced view of market dynamics.
In summary, the February snapshot shows a market with positive momentum for nearly all top performers, a meaningful share of imports in the best-seller list, and ongoing customer appetite for affordable, feature-rich offerings. The mixed model mix highlights both the resilience of domestic brands and the growing appeal of international manufacturers. As observers compare data sets and watch for revisions, the underlying trend remains clear: demand is recovering, and the competitive landscape is expanding to include a wider array of choices for Russian buyers.
Source: AEB