Light Vehicle Sales Rise 11% in Russia

Sales of new passenger and light commercial vehicles in Russia increased to 260,900 units last month compared with 235,500 units in May 2011, the Moscow-based Assn. of European Businesses says.

Lada, Russia's top-selling brand, was a notable exception. It posted an 11% drop in volume to 46,200 vehicles in May. Unit sales climbed 15% to 19,400 at Chevrolet, 36% to 18,500 at Renault, 21% to 17,100 at Kia, 6% to 16,200 at Hyundai, 56% to 14,800 at Volkswagen, 26% to 13,900 at Toyota and 11% to 11,000 at Ford. Nissan volume dipped 1% to 11,900 vehicles.

In the January-May period, light vehicle sales in Russia rose 15% to 1.1 million units, according to AEB. The group confirmed its full-year sales forecast of 2.85 million vehicles from 2.60 million in 2011.