- The success of the mini-SUV Nissan Juke has given food for thought to many manufacturers. Opel and Chevrolet with the twin models Mokka and Trax waited two years before launching their models to compete with the Juke (which was launched in 2012). In 2013, Renault (with the Captur model) and Peugeot (with the 2008 model) entered this market that has great growth potential.

- The mini-SUV market (segment B) has made SUVs very popular. SUVs were first marketed in mid-range and premium segments (segments D and E), they were then launched in the compact car segment (segment C).

- The trend for SUVs having been real for ten years now (almost 16.5% of the market in 2013 against 7.8% in 2008), it was clear that the mini-SUV category would experience the same success as the standard SUV category.

- Some carmakers such as Volkswagen, Ford or Toyota (which was already present on this market in the 90s’ with the first versions of RAV4) have been reluctant to enter the market,as it was deemed unprofitable and too small. Fiat missed the market with its Sedici model which was not quite adapted to the market. The Italian manufacturer had experienced the same issue with the Multipla model in the minivan market . The 500X should hopefully be more successful.

- Today, Honda is preparing to launch a competitor to the Nissan Juke. The Vezel unveiled at Tokyo should be launched in Europe in 2014. It should be produced in Swindon (England) alongside the CRV, Civic and Jazz.

  

- Russia produced almost 2 million passenger cars in 2012 and will produce between 1.8 and 1.9 million in 2013, due to a market decline of 5 to 7% this year (exports are very low).

- Production is now very diverse since the state has prompted international brands to establish themselves in Russia. In the early 90s, there were only four carmakers in Russia: AvtoVAZ, GAZ, AZLK and UAZ. All 4 were national brands.

- Today, there are twenty different brands:

§ Five are produced by Avtotor (the name of a local assembly company): BMW, Kia, Chevrolet, Opel and Cadillac. Avtotor is the second Russian manufacturer behind AvtoVAZ (owned by the Renault-Nissan group).

§ AvtoVAZ remains by far the largest manufacturer in Russia.

§ Volkswagen, Ford, Hyundaihave built their own plants locally.

§ Renault has developed an existing plant.

§ Japanese brands, such as Nissan, Toyota, Mitsubishi and Suzuki also follow the trend.

§ Chinese brands such as Great Wall, Lifan, Geely, have only recently established themselves, while Chery has stopped its production in Russia.

- In 2013, the locally assembled cars accounted for 67% of the total PC market, against 66% in 2012 and 65% in 2011.