The car market slows, prices accelerated

The press service of the Russian office of Ford confirmed that from 1 January 2009, prices for all passenger car brands increased by 5 percent. Last week announced a price increase of Toyota: December 8, the value of its products (including Lexus) is tied to the dollar set by the Central Bank on the day of purchase that will add to ruble price tag of an average of 6.5 percent. The Toyota decision to explain the fact that production costs for cars made outside Russia, estimated at U.S. currency has considerably strengthened the ruble relative to the beginning of the year. Cost of Toyota Camry assembled in Russia remains unchanged. The Ford causes price increases do not comment, but clarify that it applies to models produced in Vsevolozhsk. Interviewed by the newspaper Kommersant, experts believe that this step is associated with an increase in the dollar, as well as the upcoming 5-percent increase in import duties on new cars. In this case, the newspaper notes, Ford will affect the future rise in imports is less than all: almost half of Russian sales of Concern provides a model of the Focus, collected in the Leningrad region. It is not excluded that the prices of their products and raise the AvtoVAZ. Last week, the newspaper Vedomosti has learned that in January, is expected to increase prices for the entire range of the plant by 2-3 percent. As the newspaper writes, explains the increase in producer prices, "market conditions" and does not expect the negative impact of the decision on the demand for their cars. And that's true, the case with demand without raising prices Lada situation is irrelevant. According to the Association of European Businesses cited by Vedomosti, Russia's sale of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles in October were down compared with September by 8 percent, while demand for foreign-made cars fell to 5.75 percent. According to the analytical "Avtostat, the growth rate of Japanese yen against the dollar has already caused a rise in the cost of individual models by 5-7 percent of Mazda, at the beginning of next year, is preparing to raise prices and Subaru. Lineup Hyundai, as expected, after the new year increases of 2 percent - the truth, against the background of the Korean Won experts find it difficult to explain what caused such a step. Taganrog Automobile Plant, boosted in October, the price of Hyundai of its production to 30 thousand rubles, received in October, a 40 percent drop in sales relative to August, recalls the newspaper Vedomosti. Based on the current starting price of three-door hatchback Ford Focus to 350 thousand rubles, announced a 5 per cent price increase will cost him a potential buyer to 17,500 rubles. Lada Priora appreciation of 3 percent will add to the current 270 thousand rubles for starting a complete set of approximately 8,000. According to Director of Research "Avtostat Sergei Tselikov in the medium (1-3 years) term, ruble-denominated prices of cars will increase, although in the coming months to continue the practice of serious dealer sales with discounts up to 20 percent.