Russia Full-Year Sales Target Raised Following Strong July

Russian new-vehicle sales jumped 27% in July to 224,620 units, as the industry raises its full-year forecast by 100,000 vehicles to 2.45 million.

The Association of European Businesses’ automobile manufacturers committee increased the target after 7-month sales totaled 1,460,062 units, up 50% from year-ago.

Cruze boosts Chevy’s Russian sales 79% in July.

“The expected pattern of strong but slowing growth continues into the second half of 2011,” Committee Chairman David Thomas says in a statement. “The AEB consensus forecast is increased to 2.45 million units sold in 2011.”

Vice Chairman Mark Ovenden says the Russian industry continues to recover quickly as commodity prices rise, and local manufacturers are benefiting most.

“Provided that global growth can overcome the present uncertainty, we can expect the Russian industry to approach the 4 million-unit mark later in the decade, making it Europe’s biggest market,” he says.

Lada’s July sales fell 3% to 50,518 units, but remained up 25% year-to-date at 342,058.

Chevrolet, a distant second, saw deliveries soar 76% to 15,824 units in July for a 7-month result up 57% at 97,351. Ford was in 8th place, with sales up 48% to 9,200, for a total so far this year of 62,756, up 38% from like-2010.

The Avtovaz grouping with Renault, Nissan and Infiniti increased July deliveries by 11% to 75,553 units for a 7-month total up 39% at 503,994.

The General Motors combination of Opel, Chevrolet and Cadillac reported a 79% sales boost in July to 22,289 units for a running total up 71% to 135,393. Chevrolet, alone, saw deliveries grow 73% to 18,093 for a year-to-date increase of 54% to 81,527.

Lada models took five of the top 10 sales positions. The Ford Focus maintained seventh place as its deliveries climbed 21% to 9,156 units for the month, giving it a 7-month total up 28% to 38,438 units.