AvtoVAZ unveiled the first Lada crossover developed in-house at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on June 18, as reported by TASS.
The move into crossovers was a logical step for the domestic auto industry. To stay competitive, manufacturers needed to offer a full lineup of vehicle types to cater to diverse needs and preferences, noted Alexei Ivanov, owner of the Alliance Trucks commercial vehicle dealership network.
“The Lada B+ Cross was designed for both urban and suburban lifestyles. Judging by the photos that circulated online, the car had a modern design and stood out favorably against certain Chinese brands, whose industrial design choices often raised questions — and yet they still consistently managed to enter the Russian market. This suggested strong demand for such vehicles,” the expert asserted.
Objective data supported this trend. Crossovers continued to gain market share in Russia. According to Autostat, they accounted for 70% of the market in 2023 (compared to just 16.7% in 2007). In the used car market, competition had been heating up for well-maintained models like the Hyundai Creta, Volkswagen Tiguan, Renault Duster, and Kia Sportage — the most popular crossover brands in Russia, with no Chinese models in the top tier, the specialist emphasized.
Analysts at the time noted a slight dip in crossover demand — yet stable sales persisted due to the segment’s high market share and drivers who preferred upgrading from older crossovers out of habit.
“Meanwhile, Russia had an unfilled niche for domestically produced urban crossovers, and this new model might fill it. If early owner feedback proves positive, the car could still have a promising future,” Ivanov concluded.