July Vehicle Sales Climb 11% in Russia

Demand for cars and light commercial vehicles in Russia grew 11% to 143,500 units in July, the Moscow-based Assn. of European Businesses reports.

July’s results saw double-digit gains by Russia’s three largest sellers: Lada (+11% to 29,400 units), Kia (+14% to 18,500) and Hyundai (+20% to 14,400). Fourth-place Renault posted a decline of 4% to 10,500 units.

The Russian market has now recorded 15 consecutive months of double-digit growth after a four-year slump that saw annual sales plummet 51%. Deliveries sagged from 2.9 million units in 2012 to 1.4 million in 2016.

Volume began to rebound early last year, rising 12% to 1.6 million vehicles. Sales through the first seven months of 2018 totaled 992,700 units, up 17%.