You're reading: Cars sales grow by 9% in first quarter of 2012

Sales of new motor cars in Ukraine through January-March 2012 grew by 8.9% compared to the same period in 2011, and the growth totaled only 1.3% in March 2012, AUTO-Consulting information-analytical group has reported.

"Nevertheless, in the first month of spring five car operators at were vying for first place, but Hyundai was the leader with a small advantage of a few cars," the group reported in a posting on its Web site.

Cars of Lada trade mark held a second place, which managed to restore its sales after declines in February, and its brand still is fighting to be market leader.

"But the biggest breakthrough in March was made by Skoda dealers, which from the seventh place could up to the third position and occupy 7.9% of the market. The dynamics with which Ukrainians started to buy Skoda makes this brand one of the candidates for the leadership next month," the company’s experts said.

ZAZ, which held fourth place, increased sales by 42% in March, although sales of its new model, the Vida, did not mange to affect the total result.

Toyota and Nissan also showed good and stable results. But Renault dropped to ninth on the car market.

"China’s Geely strongly consolidated in the top 10 and is expanding its influence thanks to 63% of growth of sales in March. Chery is also highly competitive. Its sales rose by 70% in March. But Great Wall, which saw 223% of growth, was March’s real champion. It is going to be number three among the leaders of Chinese producers in Ukraine," the analysts said.

In the premium category, Audi was the leader a month ago, although BMW became the leader among expensive cars in March. At the same time Mercedes-Benz sales lagged behind Audi and BMW by just two cars.

"Records are held also by Land Rover dealers, which in fact trail Lexus," the company reported.

As reported, referring to AUTO-Consulting, in 2011 sales of cars in Ukraine grew by about 36% compared to 2010, to 220,620 cars. In 2012 the experts expect not less than 25% of growth in car sales.