Russian crossover and SUV market strong in early 2024, led by Chinese models
In January 2024, the crossover and SUV sector accounted for a dominant share of new passenger car sales in the Russian Federation, reaching 70.6 percent of the total. This observation comes from the analytical firm Avtostat and reflects a broader shift in consumer preferences toward higher-bodied vehicles.
The trend has been building since 2021, when crossovers and SUVs represented 50.7 percent of the market. By the close of 2023, these segments had climbed to 66.5 percent of total sales. Analysts attribute much of this rise to the growing popularity of Chinese-made crossovers in Russia, driven by pricing, features, and expanding dealer networks.
Among the models, the Haval Jolion from China emerged as the top-selling crossover in Russia by the end of 2023. Sales for this model surged threefold, reaching 55.5 thousand units over the year. This performance underscores the strong demand for well-equipped, competitively priced crossovers in the region, even as consumers weigh various Chinese and local options.
When it comes to individual model rankings, the Lada Niva Travel held second place with 46.9 thousand units sold. Third place went to the Chery Tiggo 7 PRO Max, at about 41 thousand cars. The Lada Niva Legend SUV followed with roughly 39 thousand units. Completing the top five was Geely Coolray, which moved 38.2 thousand units, signaling a broad mix of domestic brands and international entrants shaping the market.
There have been recent discussions about household spending on crossovers, with surveys indicating that the average Russian consumer invests around three million rubles in a Chinese crossover, illustrating the value customers place on features and warranty assurances in this segment.