Used foreign auto market in Russia contracts 3% in 2011
MOSCOW. Feb 8 (Interfax) - The market for second-hand cars in Russia contracted 3% last year to 3.986 million vehicles.
According to a statement from analytical agency Avtostat, sales increased 12.2% year-on-year to 414,600 automobiles.
The top ten sellers included nine OJSC AvtoVAZ models and the Toyota Corolla, as well as the Ford Focus, VW Passat, Daewoo Nexia, Toyota Land Cruiser and Camry, Mitsubishi Lancer, HyundaI Accent, Chevrolet Niva, and Opel Astra.
After the AvtoVAZ Lada last year (14.3% down year-on-year at 1.386 million sales), there were Toyotas (up 0.3% at 492,489), Nissans (up 2.8% at 194,307), Fords (up 12.5% at 133,731), Mitsubishis (up 4.2% at 128,284), VWs (up 10.1% at 123,060), Hondas (up 5% at 122,575), Hyundais (up 13.1% at 112,127), Chevrolets (up 10.9% at 107,880), and Opels (up 11.3% at 93,440).
"December sales growth on the second-hand market somewhat improved the results picture. If for the eleven months the aggregate drop on the market for used automobiles was 4%, then thanks to rising volume in December the outcome for the year was minus 2.7%. There continues to be rising volume on the secondary market for foreign makes and a drop in the volume of domestic automobile resale. The French makes Citroen, Renault, and Peugeot showed very high volume growth," Avtostat Executive Director Sergei Udalov is quoted in the statement as saying.
As reported, sales of new cars and light commercial vehicles in Russia increased 39% last year to 2.6 million machines - and 23% to 251,414 vehicles just in December.