Latest figures from the AEB Automobile Manufacturers Committee show that sales decreased by 39% or 81,407 sold units, and amounted to 129 958 cars.

Year to date 1,322,681 cars have been sold – down 34% on the figure of 1,991,312 for the first 10 months of 2014.

Joerg Schreiber, chairman of the AEB Automobile Manufacturers Committee, commented: “A key reason for this trend reversal is the now stabilised ruble exchange rate, the sudden slump of which in August had led to pull ahead sales which are now missing.

"Also, the suspension of the government scrappage and trade-in programme, originally introduced in September last year, is impacting retail demand in an unfavourable manner.”