The 2014 Moscow motor show begins on 27 August. Among the manufacturers expected to unveil new cars or concepts at the Russian event are Audi, Chevrolet, Jaguar, Land Rover, Nissan, Peugeot and Renault.
While the car unveilings at the Crocus Exhibition Centre in the north west of the city will take centre stage, it's hard to ignore Russia's underlying political situation, which has had a severe impact on the country's new car market over the past months.
According to the Association of European Businesses, new car sales in Russia dropped by more than 20 per cent in July, compared to the same month in 2013, with 180,767 new cars registered.
The AEB's chairman, Jörg Schreiber, described the situation as "worrisome", adding that the market was "unlikely to improve fundamentally any time soon".
Lada was the best performing brand in Russia last month, selling a total of 28,014 cars. However, that was still down by 25 per cent compared to the manufacturer's performance in July 2013. Behind Lada sit the likes of Kia, Renault, Hyundai, Toyota and Nissan.
Volkswagen sold a total of 76,363 cars in Russia between January and July this year, down by 16 per cent on 2013. However, some brands have shown small improvements, with Jaguar and Land Rover selling 981 and 12,086 vehicles respectively so far this year, rises of five and seven per cent.
Russian buyers are said to be delaying making large purchases, however, with one car dealer telling Reuters: "People are afraid to buy cars because they are uncertain about the future, while banks and insurance companies raise rates to protect themselves in a crisis."
Here are the key new cars expected at the Moscow motor show 2014
Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR
It's the motor show debut for the fastest and most powerful Land Rover model ever made, and the first time audiences outside the US will get to see this 542bhp leviathan. The SVR, which costs £93,450, comes with a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine which allows it to reach 60mph in just 4.5 seconds.
We've already seen the new £125,000 GT-R Nismo in the UK, but this is the first time prospective Russian buyers will have a chance to scrutinise the 591bhp sports car in their home market. Nissan promises a 0-62mph sprint time of 2.6 seconds and a top speed of 193mph. The twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V6 engine is also said to return around 24mpg on the combined fuel cycle.
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Isn't the NIVA name owned by Lada
Tit for tat...
Funny also how Putin is so anti west and especially US but is dependant on GM ( American ) to make cars for Lada? How ironic as GM is part owned by the US Government by way of the auto bailout. So Mr Putin you are in the favour of the west after all!