A fresh report from the Association of European Businesses shows a sharp pullback in August, with new passenger car and light commercial vehicle sales down by 62.4%. Nearly every model that topped the charts on August 25 faced a negative trajectory, signaling a broad slowdown across the sector.
Leading the charge in the crossover and SUV segment was the Lada Niva, moving 2,327 units. That figure marks a 32% decrease versus August of the previous year, underscoring a tougher climate for popular family-friendly and utility-focused models alike.
The top 10 lineup also includes a mix of familiar names and shifting fortunes across the market:
- Haval Jolion – 1,921 units (up 177%)
- Geely Coolray — 1,035 units (up 36%)
- Hyundai Creta — 796 units (down 85%)
- Kia Seltos — 688 units (down 49%)
- UAZ Patriot — 676 units (down 33%)
- Hyundai Tucson — 586 units (down 63%)
- Kia Sportage — 517 units (down 73%)
- Geely Atlas Pro — 515 units (not for sale)
- Hyundai Santa Fe — 490 units (down 49%)
When comparing to the prior month, the Niva is shown to have pushed the Creta from the first position to the third, illustrating how momentum can shift quickly in a markets landscape that is otherwise tightening. The overall list also reveals a notable change: the Geely Tugella, a Chinese model that had been in the top tier, dropped out of the Top 10, while the Hyundai Tucson managed to improve its standing. Among the entire top 10, only three Chinese models posted a positive trend, whereas half of the list continued to be occupied by Korean brands, reflecting a distinct regional shift in buyer preference during the period.