Light Vehicle Sales Rise 5% in Russia

Automakers sold 253,700 cars and light commercial vehicles in Russia last month compared with 240,900 units in October 2011, according to the Moscow-based Assn. of European Businesses.

The trade group says a marked increase in incentives bolstered the country's sales in October, but the pace of new orders has slowed.

The top-selling Lada brand eked out a 2% increase to 50,000 vehicles last month. Second-place Chevrolet jumped 24% (18,700 units), followed by Kia (+14% to 16,800) and Renault (+24% to 16,900).

Volume also grew at Volkswagen (+18% to 14,300 units) and Toyota (+29% to 11,800). But demand fell for Hyundai (-6% to 14,700 units), Nissan (-9% to 12,400) and Ford (-15% to 9,600).

Russia's sales from January through October climbed 13% year on year to 2.44 million vehicles, AEB says. The group confirms its full-year forecast of 2.85 million vehicles compared with 2.8 million units in 2011.