Auto Sales Jump 15% in Russia

Sales of new passenger and commercial vehicles in Russia last month rose to 258,800 units a record-high for August compared with 224,800 units a year earlier, according to the Moscow-based Assn. of European Businesses.

Volume was flat at 51,100 vehicles for industry leader Lada. All other major brands posted gains in August, including Chevrolet (+39% to 19,700 vehicles), Kia (26% to 16,000 units), Toyota (33% to 14,200 units) and Volkswagen (+28% to 13,400 units).

Also reporting increases were the namesake marques of Hyundai (9% to 13,300 units), Nissan (20% to 13,100 units), Renault (4% to 12,300 units) and Ford (28% to 10,700 units).

Russia's vehicle sales rose 14% to 1.93 million units in the first eight months of 2012. Lada volume tumbled 11% to 349,000 vehicles. All other major marques recorded double-digit gains in the January-August period.

The AEB, which previously expected demand to soften slightly in the second half of 2012, now says it is optimistic that the growth momentum will continue for the rest of this year. The group has forecast an 8% increase in full-year sales to more than 2.8 million vehicles.