Avtokraz sales fall 80% in 2009
KYIV. Jan 15 (Interfax) - Avtokraz (Kremenchug), Ukraine's only manufacturer of large trucks, saw sales plunge 80% to 654 vehicles in 2009, the company reported.
The company said orders for the first half of the year were moved back to the second half, resulting in very low sales in the first half, the company said.
Production has been recovering since August: production in the second half was 140% higher than in the first half.
It was reported earlier, citing data from Ukravtoprom, that Avtokraz manufactured 280 vehicles in 2009, 91% less than in 2008. Avtokraz has so far not reported production figures for 2009.
Avtokraz exported 73% of the vehicles it sold in 2009, to Russia and Turkmenistan. In addition, exports to Azerbaijan resumed last year.
Avtokraz sold spare parts totaling 25 million hryvni in 2009, 60% less than in 2008.
The company plans to manufacture 2,400 vehicles in 2010 given the number of orders at the Kraz trading firm.
Avtokraz produces 28 base models in over 260 modifications for use in various economic sectors and the defense sector. Its vehicles are in operation in more than 60 countries.
The official exchange rate on January 15 was 8.0024 hryvni/$1.