RIA Novosti cited Mr Alexei Rakhmanov director of the ministry's automotive industry department as saying that the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade expects a 15% growth in the country car market as the cash for clunkers program continues in Russia.

Under the program launched in March to support the car industry hit by the world financial crisis a car owner can swap a car that is older than 10 years for a RUB 50,000 certificate to buy a new vehicle.

Mr Rakhmanov said the car market grew 10% after the program's first stage was launched adding that the market might gain another 5% if the program's second stage was as efficient as the first.

He added that under the program, 230,000 cars would be sold in 2010 and 170,000 cars in 2011.

Car owners have by now received 213,600 certificates, while 148,810 cars have been sold, including 36, sold under preliminary contracts.

(Sourced from RIA Novosti)