Chinese automakers seize 61% of the Russian car market

The Russian automotive market has undergone a remarkable transformation in the last two years. After the invasion of Ukraine, major corporations from Europe, Japan, Korea, and the USA exited the country, and Chinese manufacturers quickly filled their shoes. Today, a substantial 61% of cars sold in Russia are Chinese-made. In contrast, in 2022, Chinese cars represented only 18% of the Russian market, as reported by "Rz".

According to the French daily "La Tribune," in 2024, the sales of Chinese cars in Russia surged by 76%, reaching over 943,000 vehicles. It is primarily Chinese brands that have driven the recovery of the local market, which has returned to the level of 1.5 million cars sold annually—a level seen just before the aggression in Ukraine.

Leading this automotive shift is Great Wall Motor. The company sold 192,000 cars in Russia, which marks an increase of almost 75% compared to the previous year, when their sales were just over 110,000 units. The next positions are held by Chery and Geely, each with 158,000 vehicles sold. Changan (103,000 cars), Omoda (50,000), and Exeed (41,000) have also established a strong presence.

Although Chinese companies dominate, the Russian market isn't entirely devoid of domestic brands. AvtoVAZ, the producer of the well-known Lada, remains a significant player, although its role has diminished. The company's car sales increased by 34% to 440,000 units, but its market share fell from 31% to 28%. Before 2022, AvtoVAZ had an average annual sale of half a million vehicles, but it is currently unable to compete with the Chinese expansion.

Data from the analytical firm Inovev indicates that while the Russian automotive market is recovering from the economic shock, it is still far from the levels of 2011-2014, when car sales in Russia exceeded 2 million annually.