KIEV, Aug. 15 - Ukrainian auto manufacturers increased production of light and commercial vehicles and buses by 50% year-on-year in January-July 2011, to 57,921.

The rate of growth, however, slowed in the period, with 62% year-on-year growth in January-May and 55% in January-June, the Ukrainian motor vehicle manufacturers association Ukrautoprom reported.

"The improvement compared to last year is characterized by a low base of comparison: for example, production was down 71% this year compared to the first seven months of 2008 pre-crisis," the association said on its website.