Car Sales Drop 4% in Russia

Passenger-vehicle sales in Russia fell to 232,000 units in November from 240,600 a year earlier, the Moscow-based Assn. of European Businesses reports.

It was the market's ninth consecutive monthly decline. Total sales in January-November were 2.51 million vehicles, down 6% from the same period in 2012.

Lada remains the country's top-selling brand, but volume fell 19% to 36,500 units last month. Sales also fell sharply for Chevrolet (-18% to 13,600 units), Ford (-20% to 8,900), Skoda (-18% to 7,400) and GAZ (-21% to 6,600), according to AEB.

Brands posting stronger sales in November were Renault (+3% to 17,700 units), Kia (+16% to 17,400), Hyundai (+6% to 15,500), Toyota (+13% to 12,100) and Nissan (+36% to 14,600).

AEB says year-on-year sales declines appear to be slowing and could stabilize this month.