Vehicle Sales Grow 10% in Russia

Demand for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles in Russia rose 10% to 167,500 units, the Moscow-based Assn. of European Businesses reports.

The trade group predicts similar strong performance this month as consumers scramble to purchase vehicles ahead of a tax increase. Sales through the first 11 months of 2018 totaled 1.63 million units, up 14% compared with the same period last year.

All six of the market’s top sellers posted year-on-year gains. November sales were up for Lada (+15% to 33,700 units), Kia (+30% to 21,000), Hyundai (+4% to 15,900) Renault (+1% to 13,500), Volkswagen (+13% to 10,200) and Toyota (+16% to 10,000).