Nearly Half Of All Russians Now Own Cars

The majority of Russian car owners have purchased second-hand domestic models.

The number of car owners in Russia is on the rise, with nearly half of all Russians now possessing an automobile.

A new poll by the Russian polling agency VTsIOM held in 46 regions across Russia says that 47 percent of respondents said they have purchased a vehicle, up from 36 percent in 2006.

Nearly one-fifth of the poll participants said they are planning to buy a car in the near future.

The majority of Russian car owners have purchased second-hand domestic models, but the VTsIOM poll also notes a rising interest in both new and second-hand foreign models.

Based on reporting by Interfax and wciom.com