In Russia, Chinese-brand cars were frequently involved in crashes in 2023, with several brands leading the tally
Between January and October 2023, vehicles from Chery, Haval and Geely topped the lists for the highest share of accidents among Chinese-brand cars in Russia, according to data compiled by the insurance firm Ingosstrakh and reported by TASS. The pattern shows a persistent level of involvement across the market, with other brands like Exeed and Isuzu also appearing among the higher-ranked names in the mid-year rankings. The nine-month outlook for 2023 mirrors previous years, highlighting that Haval, Chery, Geely, Lifan and Isuzu were repeatedly noted in 2022 as brands more prone to incident when on Russian roads. The incidents concentrated in major urban and regional hubs, with Moscow, St. Petersburg, the Moscow and Chelyabinsk regions, and the Krasnodar Territory repeatedly cited as hotspots for crashes involving Chinese cars.
Analysts point to a marked increase in the number of accidents involving Chinese cars in 2023, rising by about 87.3 percent in comparison with the same period in 2022. The same report notes that the average repair cost for these vehicles grew by roughly 23.5 percent year over year, a rise attributed, in part, to a surge in the volume of Chinese-made vehicles requiring repairs. The data imply broader shifts in the Russian automotive market, including the mix of models on the roads and the relative repair intensity faced by service networks across the country.
There is also a note of anticipated market change tied to the potential reintroduction of Hyundai and Kia models under a new branding arrangement, with the GAC brand suggested as the vehicle line for sale. The development hints at evolving branding strategies that could influence consumer choice and insurer assessments in the near term, as automaker partnerships and brand mappings adjust to regulatory and market conditions in Russia.