Vehicle output in Ukraine could grow by 24% in 2012, says expert

Kyiv, March 16 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Vehicle production in Ukraine in 2012 could reach 130,000 units (which is 24.2% up on 2011), Vice President of the Ukrautoprom Association Yefym Khazan has forecast.

He said at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine on Thursday that this year 350,000-370,000 vehicles of all types are expected to be registered.

"The market will definitely grow. The only problem is that the share of domestic producers on the domestic market has been falling, and this trend is continuing," he said.

According to Khazan, the association intends to take all possible measures to facilitate sales of national cars on the domestic market of Ukraine.

As reported, Ukrainian automakers in 2011 increased production by 26% compared to 2010, to 104,653 units. Passenger car output increased by 30%, to 97,585 units, bus production was up by 36%, to 3,738, and output of trucks and commercial cars rose by 37%, to 3,330 units.