According to the AEB Automobile Manufacturers Committee (AEB AMC), May, 2012 saw the sales of new cars and light commercial vehicles in Russia increase by 11% in comparison to the same period in 2011. This May, 260,944 units were sold; this is 25,486 units more than in May, 2011.
From January to May, 2012 the percentage sales of new cars and light commercial vehicles in Russia increased by 15% in comparison to the same period in 2011 or by 151,946 more sold units.
Joerg Schreiber, Chairman of the AEB Automobile Manufacturers Committee commented:
May marked the 25th month of consecutive year on year growth for the Russian automotive market. The pace of growth is becoming less pronounced, reflecting the robust volume base the market reached last year with the help of the now absent government stimuli to the retail sector. Present momentum therefore can be described as healthy, and consistent with earlier expectations. External developments on a global economic scale and their potential impact on the appetite of Russian consumers is something to be watched in the coming months. At this point however, we see no reason to revise the positive outlook on the Russian automotive market, maintaining a full year forecast of 2.85 mils passenger and light commercial vehicles in 2102.