Russia shifts from ‘how bad can it get?’ to ‘how good?’

Year-end totals are now in, showing Russia finished 2016 on a relative high note. That is, sales were down just 1% year-on-year (YoY) in December. This put the 12-month total at 1,425,791 units, down 11% from 2015 levels. Considering the year before was down by about 35% and the first nine months of the year saw double-digit losses, the development is seen as progress.

"The market as a whole is still lacking positive momentum, but apparently is in the process of finally establishing its bottom," commented Joerg Schreiber, Chairman of the AEB Automobile Manufacturers Committee (AMC).