OREANDA-NEWS. The situation in the Russian market continues to be very difficult. In January-May the sales reduced by 38%. There is still no AEB statistics for June.  According to preliminary estimation of AUTOSTAT analytic agency, based on information from a number of manufacturers and large dealer holdings, in June, about 10% more vehicles were sold than in May. Nevertheless, the negative dynamics of the market compared to June 2014 was about 30%, and the Russian automotive market decreased by 36% during the first half of the year. Due to the rising prices the market decline in terms of money was a little less - about 20-25%. More accurate data will be announced this week.

According to consolidated estimation based on a survey of a number of dealers, conducted by AUTOSTAT agency, about 80% of the vehicles in dealer centers are now sold at a discount or at a "special price".

"According to dealers, it is almost impossible to sell new vehicles without discount in the current situation. Consumers are not just interested in discounts, they demand them "- AUTOSTAT director Sergey Tselikov commented on the situation. According to him, the crisis changed consumer behavior significantly. Potential buyers became more price sensitive, they call around and visit a lot of dealer centers. They gather more information about vehicles and prices offered. And then, having chosen a vehicle and a dealer center they begin to dictate their conditions to the dealers and usually get extra 2-3% bargain. 

According Mr. Tselikov, July and August will be even more difficult for automobile dealers. They will have to continue to make concessions and to attract buyers to showrooms by any possible means. At the same time, due to "low base" of the previous year (the market was decreasing in summer 2014), the negative dynamics in the coming months will not continue to grow. Most likely, it will remain at the level of - 30-35%. Vector of the further market development will become obvious in Autumn.