OREANDA-NEWS.  Car sales in Russia in 2015 could fall to 1.5 million units - such forecast was announced by President of the Association "Russian Automobile Dealers", Vladimir Mozhenkov. According to him, this is the level of 2009, and if the forecast is justified, about 1,000 dealerships will be closed in the country due to low consumer demand. In the last year, according to him, it was closed 311 dealerships.

"Many brands of cars now on the verge of leaving the market, their sales have fallen by 70-80% compared with February of the last year - it's a disaster for business", - said Mr.Mozhenkov, who is cited by the agency "Tass." In particular, he believes that Ford dealer network in Russia, which includes about 140 centers, is "on the brink of ruin."

The head of "ROAD" also called the Peugeot, Opel, Chevrolet among outsiders by sales. In more advantageous situation there are cars of Korean and domestic production - GAZ, UAZ, Lada, as well as premium cars - Mercedes, BMW, and Lexus.

According to Mr.Mozhenkov, "many dealers work by selling cars to zero, some - in the negative." "We are doing everything possible to slow down the fall", - he said. In particular, the government is now considering proposals of Dealers Association to extend the scrappage program for a year and preferential car loan. According to the calculations of ROAD, recycling program throughout the year can increase sales by half of million cars, preferential loans will bring additional sales of 200 thousand vehicles.

According to the association, as of 1 January 2015, Russia has 4,398 dealerships, which employs about 400,000 people.

According to the forecast of the Association of European Businesses, car sales in Russia in 2015 will be reduced by approximately 24%, in 2014 it was about 2.5 million units.