Car Sales in Russia Post First Gain in 2 Years

Car and light commercial vehicle sales in November posted their first gain since December 2014, the Moscow-based Assn. of European Businesses reports.

Volume in November rose 1%—about 700 units—to 132,300 vehicles. Deliveries through the first 11 months of 2016 totaled 1.28 million vehicles, down 12% compared with the same period last year. AEB says it’s “far too early” to interpret the uptick as a market turnaround.

Russia’s top five brands all posted year-on-year increases last month, led by an 18% jump to 25,500 units for Lada. Also reporting stronger results were Hyundai (+4% to 15,800 units), Kia (+4% to 14,700), Renault (+13% to 14,700) and Toyota (+7% to 8,100).