Sales Climb 14% in Russia

Deliveries of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles in Russia grew 14% to 157,300 units last month, the Moscow-based Assn. of European Businesses reports.

Sales in the first quarter of 2018 surged 22% to 392,000 vehicles, marking the 12th consecutive month of year-on-year gains after a four-year sales slump.

Eight of the market’s 10 top sellers posted double-digit gains in March. The group was led by Lada (+22% to 30,700 units), Kia (+31% to 19,100), Hyundai (+17% to 16,700), Renault (+25% to 14,000 and Volkswagen (+8,600). Sales fell for Toyota (-8% to 8,900 units) and Nissan (+21% to 6,400).

AEB notes that year-on-year gains are likely to slow as the market’s revival continues. The group’s members predict full-year sales will rise about 10% to 1.75 million units compared with 2017.