Vehicle Sales in Russia Fall 8%

Automakers sold 245,300 passenger and light commercial vehicles in Russia last month compared with 266,600 units in April 2012, according to the Moscow-based Assn. of European Businesses.

The AEB attributes the slide to the country's broader contraction of retail demand.

Industry leader Lada posted a 12% year-on-year drop to 44,100 vehicles in April. Sales grew at Renault (+7% to 19,200 units), Kia (+6% to 18,300 units) and Hyundai (+1% to 15,900 units)

Volume in the country plunged 30% at both Ford (8,600 vehicles) and Nissan (8,300 units) last month. Reporting smaller declines were Chevrolet (-6% to 16,100 units), Volkswagen (-4% to 14,200 units) and Toyota (-2% to 15,300 units).

In the January-April period, light vehicle sales in Russia slid 2% to 862,300 units. The group notes that it would be difficult for the first half of 2013 to match last year's record levels.

The AEB originally predicted that the country's full-year volume would edge up less than 1% from a record 2.94 million vehicles in 2012. The group says it will release an updated forecast next month.