August Car Sales Fell 19% in Russia

Sales of cars and light commercial vehicles in Russia sagged to 138,700 units last month from 172,000 in August 2014, the Moscow-based Assn. of European Businesses reports.

Deliveries through the first nine months of 2015 dropped one-third to 1.05 million units. AEB notes the pace of year-on-year decline continues to slow. But it says currency fluctuations make it unlikely the market will reach equilibrium anytime soon.

August sales improved for several brands. Volumes rose at Kia (+3% to 14,100 units), Ford (+18% to 4,500), Lexus (+58% to 2,500) and Geely (+17% to 1,400).

But deliveries fell last month for most of the market's biggest sellers. Volume shrank for Lada (-24% to 20,200 units), Hyundai (-6% to 12,600), Renault (-20% to 9,900), Toyota (-30% to 8,900), Nissan (-38% to 6,900), Chevrolet (-16% to 6,700) and Volkswagen (-23% to 6,600).