Russian Car Sales Down 52% in October

The Russian car sales continue in the same trend they’ve acted all year: decreasing 52% in October 2009, in comparison with October 2008, according to Moscow-based Association of European Businesses (AEB). In the first ten months of 2009 the sale went down 51%.

"October sales showed the same level of decline as in September compared to 2008 giving further indication that the market has stabilized but at a hugely reduced level compared to last year," said David Thomas, AEB Automobile Manufacturers Committee's Chairman.

The organization supports the government to introduce a scrappage scheme, just like in many countries around the world. The Russian auto market would really benefit from such a decision.

"We support this but it is vital for the whole industry in Russia that the scheme applies to all dealers regardless of the origins of the cars that they sell," he said.

In exact figures, there were 1,232,514 cars sold in Russia in the first ten months of 2009, 51% down on last year. Sales in October stopped at 116,700 new cars, down 52%. This is seriously bad news, as Russia was one of the biggest auto markets in the world, as a lot of car manufacturers established factories there.

In terms of success, AutoVaz led the Russian market with 297,725 cars sold in the first ten months, followed by GM which managed to get 122,611 sales done.