Russia’s Car Sales Growth Slows to 11%

Sales of cars and light commercial vehicles in Russia grew 11% to 156,400 units in June, the Moscow-based Assn. of European Businesses reports.

The expansion rate was the slowest since April 2017 and compares with year-on-year gains of 18% in April and May. AEB blames last month’s slowdown on temporarily depleted dealer inventories and Russia’s preoccupation with world cup soccer.

Russia’s Big Four carmakers all reported double-digit increases in June. Volume climbed for Lada (+15% to 31,400 units), Kia (+19% to 19,900), Hyundai (+12% to 16,400) and Renault (+11% to 13,600).

Vehicles sales in the first half of 2018 climbed 18% to 849,200 units, according to AEB.