Russia’s new car and light commercial vehicles sales fell by 9.1pc in 2020 to 1.59mn units from the previous year, according to AEB Automobile Manufacturing Committee (AMC). There will not be significant changes in 2021, stated the committee, forecasting a sales growth of 2.1pc for new cars and LCVs this year.
In December, car sales totalled to 166,666 units, down 2.1pc from the December 2019. Sales were below expectations disrupting the positive sales trend from September to November. Low demand has pressured auto sales after three months of growth driven by the devaluation of Russian and post-lockdown pent-up demand.
Sales in 2020 were higher than AEB AMC’s expectation for the year despite the decline. 2020 was indeed a challenging year for the Russian automotive business. Only four months in the year reported a growth in auto sales compared to the previous year.
Avotaz Lada, Kia and Hyundai sold the most car volumes in December. Avtovaz sold 40,767 units, Kia sold 20,021 units and Hyundai sold 16,354 units, each posting over 10pc growth in sales from the prior year. Renault sold 12,146 units down by 24pc, Volkswagen sales dipped by 5pc to 9,323 units and Toyota reported sales at 9,178 units down by 17pc from the prior year.
From January-December, Avtovaz Lado sold 343,512, Kia reported sales at 201,727 units and Hyundai, 163,244 units, they were again the top sellers in the year but sales dipped by 5pc, 11pc and 9pc, respectively, from 2019 levels. Renault sales is down by 11pc, VW is down by 4pc and Toyota is down by 12pc, against 2019.