Russia sales of new passenger cars and LCVs in Russia fell 0.2% in September to reach 157,129 vehicles, according to data from the Association of European Businesses Automotive Manufacturers Committee (AEB AMC).
Despite the decrease, the September numbers nonetheless represent a significant arrest in the precipitous sales slide experienced by Russia this year.
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“Market sales in September were flat against the level achieved in the same month last year – not a bad result looking at the negative track record in recent months,,” said AEB AMC chairman, Joerg Schreiber.
“Cumulative sales in the January-September period however stand at [2%] down year-on-year. With three months to go in the current year, the AMC expects a full-year sales result of 1.76m units, reflecting the same slightly negative trend towards year end.
“The uncertain element here is the possibility of another significant increase of the utilisation fee in 2020 as reportedly being discussed by the government. Should such a decision be adopted indeed, it would add another question mark to the long-term prospects of the Russian car market as whole.
“Short-term however, sales of imported cars might receive an artificial boost – of course at the cost of sales in the following period.”
See also: Russian auto market prospects dimming – analyst
