Chinese and Korean car makers will stay in the Russian market, while domestic plants are choosing to simplify models to cut reliance on foreign parts. The trend is to move toward Euro-2 standards and to drop certain electronic systems in the interest of keeping production moving amid supply chain disruptions.
Meanwhile, the United States, Europe and Japan have halted car shipments to Russia. The European Union has set a price cap around 50,000 euros (about 4.8 million rubles), Japan has a similar ceiling near 6 million yen (about 4.2 million rubles), and the United States has blocked equipment imports if engine sizes exceed 50 cubic centimeters. These measures have reshaped the market landscape for new vehicles in Russia, particularly affecting high-end models.
Premium vehicles were hit hardest by these sanctions, with the market turning in favor of more affordable and locally tailored options. The luxury sedan market, including models like the Aurus Senat, has experienced shifts as buyers rethink their configurations and available supply.
Hilarion Demchikov, who heads business development at Alfa-Leasing Group of Companies, notes a noticeable constriction in the premium segment. He explains that last year some components and semiconductors remained scarce, which meant dealers could not keep stock of premium cars. Instead, manufacturers focused on assembling vehicles to order, allowing buyers to specify interiors, engines, and a wide range of options. This bespoke approach had been typical for high-end configurations, which are usually customized rather than stocked off the shelf.
With European, American and Japanese equipment no longer flowing into the country, premium buyers faced a new reality where choices were limited by what suppliers could provide. At the same time, the volume of premium cars available for immediate purchase diminished, leaving buyers with fewer ready-to-drive options and more incentives to explore alternative paths. Dealers responded by building a digital catalog that lets customers browse popular models, pick equipment, set lease terms, and reserve a vehicle. This strategy helps preserve vehicle value by ensuring customers receive exactly what they want while reducing the risk of inventory being scooped up by others.
Not everyone will gravitate toward premium models under this new arrangement. The premium segment is expected to bear a more pronounced decline in the near term due to slower on-demand deliveries. There is ongoing speculation about potential reintroduction through parallel import schemes, but the timing and scale of such moves remain uncertain. Overall, the market seems to be adjusting by expanding the appeal of non-premium options and by leveraging online channels to match supply with specific buyer preferences.