OREANDA-NEWS. The government in 2016 intends to keep state support of the Russian automobile industry at the level of this year and it may even increase the amount of subsidies up to 50 billion rubles.

As previously reported, in November, automakers were able to convince the Ministry of Industry to extend for 2016 the main government programs to support the market (except for additional procurement of vehicles by the authorities) by 30 billion rubles. Ministry of Industry has recently calculated: with taking into account the programs of state in 2016 in Russia it will be sold 1.5 million vehicles – it less by 9% than it is predicted in 2015 and without state support - 980 000 units (-40%). Thus, the loading of car plants will fall below 30% (it is now - 40%).

The prospect of preserving and even increasing of government support of car sales became for automobile plants pleasant surprise, say the staff of automakers: the Ministry of Industry has not informed yet about the adjusted plans. Earlier, Minister of Industry and Trade, Denis Manturov, said that the decision to support will be made only in January.

Most likely it will be increased the funding of existing programs (for example, car manufacturers asked to increase the funding for parc renovation program up to 25 billion rubles) and it will begin the support of export of cars, according to industry participants. It is necessary to leave the already proven and introduce new measures, said the vice-president of "GAZ Group", Elena Matveeva: "For example, we need the state program of replacing the parc of school buses." It is saved "a great need for preferential lending program for investment, because we cannot stop the development during the crisis," - she continues.