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| Moscow Show 2008 | ||
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by Stephen Park (28 Aug 08) The Russian car market is expected to double by 2015 and, interestingly, while Russians can't get enough of foreign-brand motors, sales of domestically-produced cars plummet. Since 2003 there's been a drop in registrations of traditional Russian brands from 80% to 28%. Despite a desperate attempt to join the boom, new local arrivals lack the status demanded by the aspirational young buyers who are likely to drive Russian automotive sales figures ahead of Germany by the end of the year. Indeed no fewer than 1.5 million visitors are expected to brave the congested roads to drool over the numerous new models on display at the new exhibition centre.
Volga, once perceived as the ultimate in Soviet supremacy, hopes to hit back with the Siber, a Mondeo-sized saloon (pictured above). This newcomer offers a choice of 2.0 16-valve or 2.4-litre V6 power. It's no match for the aspirational Mazda6 but budget pricing may just be enough for success in the domestic market. Lada, once the butt of many jokes, showcased for the first time on home soil its dramatic C-Cross concept. Its name may sound like that of a certain Citroen, and visually they are of the same ilk, but the newcomer is a vast improvement over the Russian motoring marque's current product portfolio of aged saloons and hatchbacks.
As well as looking the part, the C-Cross promises plenty of power. The Euro-like SUV will nudge 120mph and promises 0-62mph in just eight seconds from its two-litre petrol powerplant. While it rightly took centre stage, home fans were left unimpressed by existing models that are rapidly losing ground to European products. As more affluent and younger car buyers emerge throughout Russia there's a definite switch towards leading European and Japanese brands and Mazda's presence at the show clearly demonstrated the importance they place on this market. The increasing desire for reliable and stylish vehicles has been largely responsible for Mazda sales growing from 1838 in 2003 to a 2008 estimation of 80,000 units. Understandably, the dealer network has grown too – from three initially to 41 today.
As a measure of Mazda's commitment to Russia, the Moscow Show was chosen to show the world's motoring media the Kazamai. With a booming economy and a new found consumer confidence the Russian population are spending big time on luxury items such as cars. And, in particular, it is their love for compact sports utility vehicles, which has soared to more than 20% of the market, which prompted Mazda to showcase what it believes will be the future look of the next generation compact SUVs. Based on the Nagare design philosophy, Mazda designers make no bones about it that the Kazamai was specifically designed with the Russian market in mind. Although its shape suggests speed and power by the bucketload, Mazda insists that it will accommodate four passengers in maximum comfort and functionality while the engine, a next-generation two-litre direct injection petrol unit, promises the ultimate in efficiency and performance. Several automakers are set to step up investment to cash in on this rapidly expanding market. Volvo confirmed it will be spending €100 million in the coming year expanding its dealer network by more than 20 new outlets and the XC60 – making its first Euro outing at the show – will be a key player in the growth of Russia's most popular luxury premium brand. As the first foreign firm to invest in a Russian manufacturing plant, Ford knows the market better than most. It sells as many Focus models as the St Petersburg production line can produce (100,000 in a year) and it was announced in Moscow that 25,000 Mondeos will be build per annum at the factory. Hybrids have been big news items at almost all the major European shows over the past five years or so and that remained the case in Moscow. Although there's no emissions-based road tax, and fuel costs a fraction of what it does in Britain, Honda's CR-Z sports concept and a car tipped to hint at the next generation Hybrid were certainly among the crowd pullers.
The Chinese were there too with names like Brilliance, Chery (QQ6 pictured above), Great Wall, Lifan and BYD. While these new kids on the block from the chopstick kingdom share show space with the more well-known brands, quality still appears to be some way behind the exacting high standards of the big sellers. That said, a carbon copy of the Fiat Panda (badged as the Great Wall Gwperi) and a re-badged model of the old Toyota Yaris are the sort of cars that could do well in Britain. Watch this space! Otherwise, all the big brands were there in force, including Land Rover, Jaguar, Lexus, Audi, BMW, General Motors, Nissan and Infiniti, whose all-petrol premium line-up is certain to do well. With all the razzmatazz, glitz, glamor and girls sadly lacking at the lacklustre London motoring event, Moscow's 12th Motor Show would be a great day out for UK petrolheads – shame about the four-hour flight and visa-dependent entrance requirements!
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