The AEB attributed the growth to higher consumer incomes and increased sales in Russian regions, apart from Moscow and St. Petersburg.
In March 2007, foreign car sales grew 65%, year-on-year, to 78,104 vehicles, the AEB said.
"New opportunities based on consumer lending are also an important factor for the stable growth of foreign car sales. Ever more frequently, consumers opt for foreign cars as they seek quality and technology rather than low prices," the AEB said in a statement.
Ford was the most popular foreign brand in Russia in January-March 2007, with sales totaling 20,791 vehicles, followed by Chevrolet (including cars produced by the GM-AvtoVAZ joint venture), with sales of 36,735 vehicles, and Toyota with sales of 29,368 cars, the statement said.
