Auto Sales Drop 10% in Russia

Deliveries of passenger and light commercial vehicles in Russia dropped to 231,900 units last month from a record 259,100 in August 2012, according to the Moscow-based Assn. of European Businesses.

August marked the sixth straight month of year-on-year declines. In the January-August period, the country's sales fell 7% to 1.8 million vehicles. AEB predicts that demand will stabilize by year-end.

Last month volume in Russia plunged 24% to 66,500 units at industry leader AvtoVAZ-Renault-Nissan group. AvtoVaz's 24% drop (to 39,100 vehicles) offset a 23% gain (to 15,200 units) at Renault.

August group sales in the country also slid at Volkswagen (-7% to 24,500 units), General Motors (-16% to 23,000), Toyota (-4% to 15,200) and Ford (-17% to 8,900).

Kia and Hyundai were the only large automakers to post increases in Russia last month. Their deliveries rose 6% to 17,000 vehicles and 7% to 14,200 units, respectively.