OREANDA-NEWS. KAMAZ by the results of the first two months of 2015 sold 2.3 thousand vehicles (-41%). According to the Marketing Department of KAMAZ, the Russian market of trucks with GVW of 14-40 tonnes for this period was 4.5 million units, which is less by 48% than in January-February of last year. Thus, the share of KAMAZ in the Russian market at the end of two months was 52%.

Market decline of trucks is explained at KAMAZ by several factors. First of all, this is a general decline in the economy. There was a decline in investment in fixed assets, the decline in jobs in the construction industry, falling prices for crude oil Urals, which led to a decline in purchases of vehicles by consumers of oil and gas industry. The growth of inflation and devaluation of the ruble against the dollar and the euro also influenced.

In addition, at the end of the last year the key rate of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation was increased significantly, and the access of Russian companies to international financial resources is still limited, and therefore the availability of credit and leasing declined sharply. The drop in sales was also affected by the termination of the former and the absence of major new infrastructure projects, under which, as a rule, it is bought the large quantity of vehicles.

According to forecasts of marketers of KAMAZ, the Russian market of trucks with GVW of 14-40 tonnes in 2015 will be 51 thousand vehicles. The company plans to sell 26 thousand cars, hence, the share of KAMAZ in the market could reach 51%. KAMAZ expects to keep the leading position due to the launch in the market of a new model range and ousting of foreign competitors, also due to the increased use of vehicles running on gas fuel, and cost optimization through import substitution.

A further condition of the market depends on the macroeconomic situation, it is expected its gradual stabilization. Thus, the Central Bank has already announced to reduce the key rate, which will lead subsequently to an increase in the availability of credit and leasing. State compensation of interest rates on mortgage loans will restore the housing market. In addition, the Russian government developed and adopted anti-crisis plan, which includes the largest investment projects and the allocation of funds for recapitalization of banks and systemically important credit institutions, as well as to support economic sectors, including agriculture, housing, utilities, industry and Energy (it is assuming the purchase of buses and equipment for utilities, working on motor fuel, recycling program vehicles, purchase of agricultural machinery, preferential leasing from "Rosagroleasing"). Also, the government incentives and subsidies for purchases of vehicles on the Gas will help to “spur" sales in the Russian market.