A weaker rouble has been blamed for making foreign cars more expensive, but during August automobile sales in Russia experienced their smallest year-on-year fall in four months.

Data from the Association of European Businesses (AEB) show that sales dropped 54 per cent last month.

The organisation expects 1.4 million cars to be sold in Russia during 2009, which is down from the 3.2 million purchased last year.

In addition to the weaker rouble, there have been suggestions that Russia's imported car market has been damaged by a 30 per cent import duty.

David Thomas, chairman of the AEB Automobile Manufacturers Committee, said in a statement: "The possible extension of the increase in import duties that were introduced at the beginning of 2009 would be disappointing as it will not help in increasing the industry volume for the remainder of 2009."

Earlier this month, a sharp drop in traffic for Russia's airline industry was also attributed to the weak rouble and rising unemployment.

Figures from the country's Federal Aviation agency highlighted a fall of 16.5 per cent in traffic during the six months to July.