Aug 4 Reuters Car sales in Russia rose 168.8 yearonyear in July, partially bouncing back from a slump in 2022, data showed on Friday, the day after President Vladimir Putin called on state bodies to stop using foreignmade cars in favour of domestic ones.

Russia39;s auto industry had been heavily reliant on investment, equipment and parts from overseas and was hit hard by the fallout from Western sanctions over Russia39;s invasion of Ukraine, with sales plunging 59 in 2022 and many foreign automakers leaving the country.

Analytical agency Autostat, citing data from its partner consulting company PPK, said 95,654 vehicles were sold in July, up from 82,407 in June and just 35,584 in July 2022.

Putin told a meeting of manufacturing industry representatives on Thursday that some ministries had asked for permission to continue buying foreignmade cars.

I said that this should be absolutely excluded and all officials of the country should drive domestic cars, Putin said, telling officials they should strive to develop domestic brands, domestic cars, and other domestic products.

Putin himself drove a MercedesBenz across the Crimean Bridge linking southern Russia to the annexed Crimean peninsula in December, two months after an explosion had torn through it, one of the Kremlin chief39;s showcase infrastructure projects.

Kyiv has demanded that Moscow hand Crimea back.

But Russian cars may not be able to keep up with demand. Chinese carmakers are seizing market share in…