Datsun sales are up 50% year-on-year in July in Russia.

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The recovery is accelerating in Russia: after five years of decline, the market has definitely turned around in 2017. July is the fifth consecutive month of year-on-year gains, third consecutive double-digit gain and the most dynamic so far at +18.6% to 129.685 units. This is the largest year-on-year improvement since February 2012 when the Russian market surged 25%. Year-to-date, Russian sales are now up 8.5% to 848.214 units.

The VW Tiguan is up 312% over the previous generation this month.

The two top-selling brands advance even faster than the market: homegrown leader Lada is up 22% to 20.4% share vs. 19.7% so far in 2017 while Kia is up 37% to 12.5% vs 12% YTD. Hyundai (+11%), Renault (+20%) and Toyota (+12%) round up the Top 5 in a brands ranking immobile vs. June up to the 12th spot. Volkswagen and Ford (+24%) as well as Nissan (+20%) improve their market share year-on-year whereas UAZ (-15%), Chevrolet (-4%) and Audi (-23%) are the rare manufacturers to lose volume close to the top. Notice also Suzuki up 37%, Datsun up 50%, Citroen up 57% and Peugeot up 65%. Lifan (-6%) leads Chinese brands at #20 above Chery at #25 (+11%), Geely at #33 (-7%) and Haval at #37.

The Sportage (+55%) helps Kia up 37% this month in Russia.

The Kia Rio (+11%) is back to the pole position is holds year-to-date, and although the Lada Granta is catching up (+28%), the Rio has now ranked #1 for six out of seven months so far in 2017. The Hyundai Solaris (-12%) holds onto the third spot while the Lada Vesta continues to slowly gear up at +25%. The VW Polo is up two spots on June to #5 and almost a year after its launch, the Hyundai Creta posts its weakest market share so far at 2.5%, however remaining the best-selling SUV in the country for the 12th consecutive month, this time 31 sales above the Renault Duster (+2%). The Lada Largus (+20%), Toyota RAV4 (+23%), Renault Sandero (+24%), Lada XRAY (+41%), Renault Kaptur (+68%), Kia Sportage (+55%), VW Tiguan (+312%), Nissan Almera (+56%) and Datsun On-DO (+74%) all improve their market share vs. July 2016.

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Previous month: Russia June 2017: Fourth consecutive YoY gain at +15%

One year ago: Russia July 2016: Renault Kaptur instant blockbuster, Ravon brand lands

Full July 2017 Top 54 All-brands and Top 25 models below.