Auto Sales Growth in Russia Will Stall This Year

Deliveries of new passenger and light commercial vehicles in Russia which surged 39% in 2011 and 30% in 2010 climbed 11% to a record-high 2.94 million units last year, the Moscow-based Assn. of European Businesses reports.

The industry group predicts the country's volume will grow less than 1% to 2.95 million vehicles unchanged in 2013.

Russian auto demand began slowing in the fourth quarter of 2012 as the country's economy cooled, inflation rose and consumer lending tightened. December sales grew just 1% year on year 253,200 vehicles.

The Lada brand's volume slid 7% to 537,600 vehicles last year, but it remained Russia's top-selling marque, followed by Chevrolet (+18% to 205,000 units), Renault (+23% to 189,900 units), Kia (+23% to 187,300 units) and Hyundai (+7% to 174,300 units).

Rounding out the country's top 10 makes in 2012 were Volkswagen cars (+40% to 164,700 vehicles), Nissan (+11% to 153,700 units), Toyota (+28% to 153,000 units), Ford (+11% to 130,800 units) and Skoda (+34% at 99,100 units).