Russia's star performer tumbles back down to earth

摘要

For a car market that less than a year ago was still tipped by punters to overtake Germany as Europe's largest car market in 2008, Russia has hit the skids very, very badly. Russia's new car market, after starting last year with a bang, but ending with a whine and a whimper, began the new year just like the old one had ended. Continuing a slide that first began in October last year, Russia's new car market slumped 52.8 in April, thereby widening the year-on-year sales shortfall at the one-third stage to an eye-watering 43 per cent.