Car production in Russia has fallen after major carmakers left the country and Western governments imposed sanctions on the country in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine.

Russia produced 3,700 cars in May, 97 percent less than in the same month last year, state statistics agency Rosstat said.

Production fluctuated between 95,000 vehicles in January and 108,000 in February before falling to 40,800 in March.

Russia produced a total of 268,000 vehicles in the period from January to May this year, which is twice as much as at the same time last year.

Production of trucks and buses in May fell by almost 40 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively, compared to May 2021.

The Russian automobile industry employs 300,000 people and another 3 million work in similar industries.

Only two of the 20 car factories remained in Russia after major carmakers halted production and sales due to the country's occupation of Ukraine.

Sales of the country's most popular and affordable brand, Lada, fell by almost 84 percent in May, the Association of European Businesses said.