Vehicle Sales in Russia Slip Another 4%

Demand for cars and light commercial vehicles in Russia shrank in February to 106,700 units from 111,200 in the same month last year, according to the Moscow-based Assn. of European Businesses.

The 4% drop shows that a long-awaited turnaround continues to elude the market, whose year-on-year sales have declined for the past four years. But AEB notes that several brands did post stronger volume, with four of the top five sellers reporting year-on-year gains.

February sales climbed for Lada (+5% to 20,000 units), Kia (+8% to 12,400), Renault (+9% to 9,600) and Volkswagen (+18% to 6,400) models. Sales dropped for Hyundai (-11% to 9,400 vehicles) and Toyota (-20% to 6,300).