MOSCOW, October 8 (RIA Novosti) - Sales of foreign cars in Russia rose 40% year-on-year in January-September 2008 to 1.6 million vehicles, the Association of European Businesses (AEB) said Wednesday.

In September 2008, foreign car sales grew 22%, year-on-year, to 179,400 vehicles, the AEB said in a statement.

Chevrolet (including cars produced by the GM-AvtoVAZ joint venture) remains the most popular foreign brand in Russia, with sales totaling 175,800 vehicles through September, followed by Hyundai with sales of 159,400 and Toyota with sales of 145,400, the statement said.

Ford, which traditionally occupied third place on the Russian market, dropped to fourth with sales of 141,400 vehicles.

Despite the fifth place in sales volume with 118,000 vehicles sold, Japan's Nissan showed an impressive 45% rise in sales year-on-year, the AEB said.