This is seen as a considerable growth – especially after the crisis of 2009 when the demand fell most sharply. Surprisingly, just in the first three quarters of 2010 the market has gone up by 18 per cent, bringing Russia up to its historic fifth place in Europe. At the moment, only Germany, France, the UK, and Italy beat Russia in terms of car production.

The soft-lending scheme is working well too, with 270,000 applications filled in and 120,000 loans already issued, the minister said.

However, Russian economists argue that the country’s auto success is the result of very low figures in 2009 and state utilization programs that whips up sales.

According to the Trade Minister, at the moment 295,000 cars have been recycled, 326,000 utilization certificates issued, and 6.7 billion rubles paid to their owners.

As for Russia’s fifth place, this can be explained by current stagnation and even downturn at European car markets, the reason for which is the EU countries’ decision to put an end to state stimulation that Russia is currently using to the fullest.

Normally, after a stimulation package has concluded, the market falls – that is why, economists say, it is highly improbable that the Russian car market will be first by 2014.