Russian Sales Sliding But Better Second Half Eyed

Russia’s new-vehicle sales slump continued in June, with deliveries down 11% year-on-year to 241,346 units, leaving the market’s first-half total off 6% to 1,333,314.

The Association of European Businesses Automobile Manufacturers Committee data shows the second quarter finished 10% below like-2012.

Committee Chairman Joerg Schreiber says this is not what was hoped for after a balanced result in the first quarter.

“I think it is obvious that, as a whole, the Russian car market is not in the best of shape at this point,” Schreiber says in a statement. “The question now is whether the market can do better in the second half of the year.

“Personally I believe it can, and the chances for that have increased with the announcement of government plans to subsidize credit-backed vehicle purchases,” he adds. “We hope these plans will be implemented quickly, for the expected positive effect to be felt in the coming months.”

Market leader Lada’s sales slid 17% in June to 37,177 units, leaving its 6-month total down 10% to 226,729.

Renault, a distant second, saw the month’s sales fall 5% to 18,849 vehicles, but it remained up 9% at the halfway stage with 104,633 deliveries.

Third-placed Kia bucked the trend, rising 1% in June to 17,541 units for a 6-month total up 4% to 94,870.

The AvtoVAZ-Renault-Nissan alliance saw sales slow 17% in June to 65,694 units, giving it a first-half total down 7% to 399,535.

The Volkswagen Group followed with sales down 5% in June to 28,632 units. Its first-half tally fell 3% to 147,928.

Lada’s Granta continued to top the sales charts, rising 98% year-on-year in June to 17,005 units, for a 6-month total up 87% to 84,241.

Hyundai’s Solaris was in second place with June sales up 11% to 10,575 units and a first-half total off 2% to 57,009. Kia’s New Rio rounded out the top three, with sales rising 3% for the month to 8,047 units and a 6-month total up 5% to 44,236.