Chevrolet overtook Ford in Russia

Ford lost the leadership in the Russian market for new cars. According to the Association of European Businesses (AEB), in January-May, first place in sales in the country took the brand Chevrolet. Industry experts do not exclude that a new leader may be associated with a simple swing of sales at Ford, but note that the company lost the lead after the raised prices on its cars. Yesterday, the AEB has published the results of sales of new cars in January-May 2007. Has become the market leader brand Chevrolet with 70 thousand cars (see table). The former leader of the Ford moved up to second place (sales - 68.5 thousand cars), giving Chevrolet a mere 1.5 thousand in the whole of Russia had sold 580.4 thousand new cars, an increase of 74%. According to estimates Marketing Director of "Severstal-Auto" Valery Tarakanov, in value terms the market volume reached $ 14.5 billion This rating is based on the average cost of new foreign cars in Russia at $ 25 thousand, the expert explained. Ford could not resist the first place in the table AEB and six months. Concern for the first time became the sales leader in Russia in 2006, replacing the first Korean Hyundai (see Kommersant from January 15). Then took the second place ranking brand Chevrolet, Ford far behind at 4.5 thousand cars. In the first quarter behind the Chevrolet Ford already at 2.3 thousand vehicles in January-April - to 943 cars. In the Russian office of GM stress that came out on top, despite the quota deliveries of cars to Russia by headquarters. The Ford said that "sales are satisfied that full compliance with the plans." Indeed, the model Ford Focus, according to the AEB, is still the best-selling car in Russia (sales for January-May - 38.1 thousand). Other "budget" model - Renault Logan and Chevrolet Lanos follow the leader with a large backlog (they sold 24.5 thousand and 21.5 thousand respectively). Experts estimate the change is ambiguous top-selling foreign car in Russia. "It is not clear that this is - trend towards the loss of leadership Ford or seasonal sales group, due to problems with the delivery of cars to Russia, - says co-owner of the dealer holding Genser Igor Ponomarev .- But it is in the first quarter of Ford raised prices on its cars an average of $ 500. " Agrees with this conclusion, the managing director of AG Capital Agibalov Alexander, adding that "in the face of this uncertainty," he would "put it on the Chevrolet". "The main reason for the success of Chevrolet - there are two major industries in the CIS: Chevrolet Niva SUV at GM-AvtoVAZ joint venture and 'budget' Lanos sedan at the Zaporozhye Automobile Plant in Ukraine, - says Mr. Agibalov .- If the assembly starts Lanos in Russia (the project may be implemented in the Nizhny Novgorod region .- b), the Chevrolet is sure to become the absolute leader in the market. " As of May, the share of sales model Lanos (cost $ 10-11 thousand) in total sales of Chevrolet was 32%. In 2006, the model was only seventh in terms of sales in Russia, but now in third place. Another interesting change in the table was a noticeable increase in sales of Hyundai. If the gain for the quarter was 2% Hyundai, at the end of April - 5% in May - over 12%. Igor Ponomarev does not exclude that it is connected with the appearance of Hyundai's own importing company cars in Russia. Importation of Hyundai in Russia the company does "carnet-2000", part of the dealer's holding company, "Rolf". But last week, the president, "Rolf" Matt Donnelly said that Hyundai has agreed to "Rolf" for a new importer "Hyundai Motor CIS", a majority of which will be a Hyundai. According to Mr. Ponomarev, "the appearance of its own importer in Hyundai certainly will mean growth in sales mark, and possibly the return of Leadership (now Hyundai is the fourth line .- b)." On the possible return of Hyundai's leadership experts also said when there is information about the group's intention to construct a Korean plant in Russia with 100 thousand cars per year (see Kommersant from June 8). Dmitry Z-BELIK