new car sales in russia sank by 835 percent yearonyear in may industry data showed on monday as the effects of unprecedented western sanctions hit the countrys economy and consumers only 24268 cars and light commercial vehicles were sold in russia in may said the association of european businesses in moscow the collapse is sales in may came after a 785 percent drop in april sales of the countrys most popular and affordable brand lada whose avtovaz manufacturer was majorityowned by the nissanrenault group fell 84 percent to 6000 units yearonyear the west slapped russia with debilitating sanctions after the start of moscows military campaign in ukraine in february in may renault handed over its local assets to the russian government marking the first major nationalisation since the onset of sanctions renault controlled 68 percent of avtovaz but was under pressure to pull out of the country numerous carmakers have stopped sales of their cars or parts to russia including audi honda jaguar and porsche makes that have halted russian production include bmw ford hyundai mercedes volkswagen and volvo last week the statistics service said the countrys industrial output shrank for the first time since the start of the military campaign falling by 16 percent in april compared to the same period last year car production was hit particularly hard falling by 854 percent yearonyear faced with a shortage of imported parts in factories authorities eased safety and emission standards for locally produced cars in may  including dropping the requirement for airbags