Russia imports 20.4% more cars in Jan-Feb - customs
MOSCOW. April 6 (Interfax) - Russia imported 128,800 cars for $2.602 billion in the first two months of this year versus the 107,000 (for $1.803 billion) it imported in the same two months last year, a 20.4% increase, the country's Federal Customs Service said.
Car imports from countries outside the Commonwealth of Independent States increased 30.9% to 119,900 for $2.534 billion (from $1.706 billion in January-February last year). Truck imports rose 40% to 12,000 vehicles ($296 million from $208 million).
Russia imported 8,900 cars from fellow CIS countries (15,400 a year previously) for $67.7 million.
Russia exported 14,900 cars for $114.7 million in January-February this year (5,800 for $38.2 million one year earlier).
Truck exports from Russia were worth $53.4 million (up 130%) during the two months. There were 2,100 trucks sold (133% more).
Car exports to non-CIS countries decreased to 400 vehicles from 500 in the first two months of last year (to $2.8 million from $5.8 million) and 200 trucks (for $8.8 million) from 800 (for $16.9 million).
Russia exported 14,500 cars to countries in the CIS (170% more year-on-year) for $111.9 million (5,400 for $32.3 million in January-February of last year).
Russia's main auto suppliers are Japan, Germany, Uzbekistan, Korea, Britain, and Ukraine. The country mainly ships automobiles to Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Latvia.
Russia's main car exporter is its largest automaker OJSC AvtoVAZ , and its main truck exporter is OJSC KamAZ . The country's main suppliers are General Motors, Hyundai, Kia, Toyota, Nissan, UZ-Daewoo, and BMW.