KIEV, March 16 ??“ Ukraine??™s new car sales, led by strong demand, are likely to increase 28% on the year to 519,600 vehicles in 2007, according to a report by an investment group.

Universal Investment Group also said Ukraine??™s car output is expected to grow 28.5% on the year to 360,000 vehicles in 2007.

The group has correctly predicted Ukraine??™s car sales market growth in 2006, when 405,952 vehicles had been sold, up 38.1% on the year, including the growth in passenger car sales by 40% to 371,019 vehicles.

A total of 267,000 passenger cars were assembled in Ukraine, which is a 40% rise year-on-year, and this year a rise to 360,000 in output of passenger cars and a rise to 340,000 in output of commercial vehicles could be seen, the group said.

Ukraine's car fleet grew by 6% to 7.2 million cars in 2006, including a 7% rise in passenger cars, to 5.9 million, according to the analysis. This boosted growth in the total number of cars to 157 cars per 1,000 people, and to 127 passenger cars per 1,000 people.

The analysis said Ukraine's car fleet would grow to 7.8 million in 2007, including 6.5 million passenger cars, which would prompt growth in the total number of cars to 170 cars per 1,000 people, and to 138 passenger cars per 1,000 people.

Universal Investment Group coordinates a number of business projects in Ukraine, among which are big gasoline retail chain Galnaftogaz. Its other business include grain trader Khlibprom Concern, Universalna Insurance Company, Vash Dom Housing and Construction Company. (om/ez)