Auto Sales Rise 5% in Russia

Sales of new passenger and light commercial vehicles in Russia climbed to 162,100 units last month from 154,600 in January 2012, according to the Moscow-based Assn. of European Businesses.

AEB says low vehicle prices and readily available supplies are boosting volume.

AvtoVAZ's Lada brand remained the country's sales leader in January with a 3% increase to 30,000 vehicles. Lada vehicles accounted for only three of the country's 10 best-selling models in January. That list also included two Renault brand cars and one each from Daewoo, Ford, Hyundai, Kia and Volkswagen.

January sales jumped 35% to 14,700 units at Renault and advanced 11% to 11,300 units at Hyundai. Volume slid at Chevrolet (-2% to 9,500 vehicles) and Ford (-3% to 6,400 units) but grew 18% at Opel to 5,200 units.

AEB has predicted that vehicle sales in Russia, which climbed 11% to a record 2.94 million vehicles in 2012, will edge up less than 1% this year.