Auto Sales Grow 2% in Russia

Carmakers sold 210,700 passenger and light commercial vehicles in Russia last month compared with 207,300 units in February 2012, according to the Moscow-based Assn. of European Businesses.

Volume at market leader Lada was flat at 36,900 vehicles. Demand rose for Renault (+19% to 15,300 vehicles), Kia (+7% to 14,100 units) and Volkswagen (+10% to 12,500 units).

Sales dropped at Hyundai (-8% to 13,500 vehicles), Chevrolet (-1% to 13,000 units), Nissan (-8% to 13,100 units), Toyota (-26% to 8,400 units and Ford (-23% to 7,100 units).

Lada accounted for only three of the country's 10 best-selling models last month, joined by one vehicle each from Chevrolet, Daewoo, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Renault and VW.