September 9, 2004
Venezuela new car sales doubled in August
(Reuters) - "New car sales in Venezuela more than doubled in August from a year earlier as the oil-rich nation rebounded from a steep economic slide, the Venezuelan Automobile Chamber (CAVENEZ) reported.
A total of 10,804 cars were sold last month, compared with 5,021 units in August of 2003, CAVENEZ said in a release.

Sales for the January-August period this year rose to 74,801 units from 37,875 units during the first eight months of 2003.

August 2004 figures slipped 4.02 percent from July this year when the chamber reported sales of 11,256 units.
The world's No. 5 oil exporter, Venezuela is pulling out of nearly two years of economic decline after months of political conflict over the rule of President Hugo Chávez, who won a recall referendum on his rule last month.

Government officials expect the economy to register growth of about 10 percent this year after a 7.6 percent contraction last year".