Car Sales in Russia Plunge 17%

Demand for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles in Russia fell to 199,400 units in June from 241,100 a year earlier, reports the Moscow-based Assn. of European Businesses.

Volume for the first six months of 2014 totaled 1.23 million units, down 8% from the same period last year.

AEB notes that Russia's sales slump is accelerating. The group now forecasts full-year volume will shrink 12% to 2.45 million units. Last December the group predicted sales in 2014 would slip 2% to 2.73 million vehicles.

June sales by Lada maker OAO AvtoVAZ plunged 19% to 30,100 units. Last month's sales also declined for Kia (-3% to 16,800 units), Hyundai (-1% to 16,800), Renault (-13% to 16,500) and Toyota (-11% to 13,100).

Results for European mainstream brands were mixed. Sales fell for Volkswagen (-26% to 10,900 units), Skoda (-14% to 7,900), Opel (-31% to 4,500) and Volvo (-12% to 1,700).

Among European luxury brands, June sales advanced for Mercedes-Benz (+11% to 4,600) and Land Rover (+2% to 1,900). They retreated for BMW (-9% to 3,200) and Audi (-3% to 3,000).