Renault’s Russian Sales Plummet as Lada Factories Sit Idle

Renault SA’s car sales in Russia, its second-biggest market, sank last month as the French automaker idled factories and lays plans to withdraw from the country.

Shipments of Lada vehicles produced by Renault’s Russian venture fell 56% in March compared with the same month last year, according to a statement Wednesday. That’s the ninth straight monthly decline for the brand that dates back to the Soviet era.