Sales of crossovers and sport utility vehicles in the period declined, with the Lada Niva leading the group by posting 1,941 units sold, down 64 percent from April of the previous year. The tally reflects combined figures for the Niva Travel and Niva Legend variants, offering a clear snapshot of the category’s performance in that market window.
The top ten in the SUV and crossover segment continued to show a strong concentration of demand around a few models, supported by a varied mix of mainstream and utility-focused offerings. The ranking and unit volumes were as follows:
- Hyundai Creta – 1,162 units, down 82 percent
- Renault Duster – 644 units, down 83 percent
- Kia Seltos – 578 units, down 62 percent
- Mitsubishi Outlander – 526 units, down 66 percent
- UAZ Patriot – 433 units, down 55 percent
- Kia Sportage – 382 units, down 87 percent
- Kia Sorento – 372 units, down 74 percent
- Hyundai Tucson – 369 units, rising significantly by more than ninefold
- Mazda CX-5 – 363 units, down 76 percent
Looking at the year-to-date results for January through April, the same lineup of leaders remained, underscoring persistent demand for compact utility and mainstream models. The Lada Niva maintained its top position with 11,248 units sold, down 39 percent year over year; Hyundai Creta followed closely with 11,216 units, down 56 percent; Renault Duster stood at 9,170 units, down 17 percent.
When considering passenger car sales across the market, the April outcome was marked by a sharp slowdown. Only a handful of brands surpassed the threshold of selling more than a thousand units in the month. The leaders by volume included Lada with 8,506 units (down 78 percent), Kia with 4,604 units (down 76 percent), Hyundai with 4,150 units (down 73 percent), Renault with 2,231 units (down 84 percent), and UAZ at 1,620 units, which includes light commercial activity (down 36 percent). Skoda posted 1,104 units, a drop of 89 percent. These figures illustrate a market undergoing a steep adjustment driven by macro factors and logistical constraints that have affected import availability and consumer purchasing power alike.
Industry observers note several ongoing headwinds influencing this market landscape. The suspension of deliveries of many foreign-brand models has constrained available options. In addition, price pressure remains a key factor, as remaining stock inches up in value while new supply remains constrained. Production facilities in several plants have paused or slowed due to sanctions and the disruption of essential parts supply, which means the choice for shoppers in many regions is narrowing to models that have existing inventory in dealer networks. These dynamics help explain the observed shifts in sales year over year and the ongoing caution in consumer spending as the market recalibrates.
In this environment, buyers often weigh total ownership costs, available aftersales support, and long-term reliability when considering what to purchase. Automakers and dealers continue to adjust incentives, financing offers, and service packages to align with the changing landscape. Analysts emphasize that the core trend remains a preference for practical, well-priced vehicles with established parts availability and robust dealer networks, even as the mix of popular models evolves with supply conditions and consumer sentiment. (citation: market brief, 2024 Q2, automotive analytics group)