February 2023 Russia Passenger Car Sales: Lada Dominates Early Lines, Chinese Brands Expand
In February 2023, the vehicle market in Russia followed a familiar pattern at the top: Lada models occupied the first, second, and fourth positions in total sales among passenger cars. Toward the middle and lower portions of the ranking, a broader lineup from Chinese manufacturers showed a notable presence, illustrating a shift in the market landscape that month.
According to Avtostat statistics, a total of 56,148 passenger cars were sold in Russia during February, marking a year-over-year decline of 43.4 percent. This drop reflects broader market headwinds and structural changes in demand, with Chinese brands continuing to secure a meaningful share despite the overall contraction. The data highlight the resilience of certain import brands within a challenging environment and underline the competition that automakers face in sustaining sales momentum amid economic pressures.
Among the top models that defined the February lineup, several Chinese nameplates stood out in terms of volume. Chery Tiggo 7 Pro led with 2,378 units sold, followed closely by the Naval Jolion with 2,254 units. The Omoda C5 recorded 1,822 sales, and the Geely Coolray reached 1,789 units. The Haval F7X contributed 1,177 units, while the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max moved 1,140 units. Geely Atlas Pro registered 978 sales, and the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Max achieved 958 units. Rounding out the top Chinese entries, the Haval F7 delivered 935 sales and the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro registered 842 units. These figures illustrate a substantive penetration by Chinese manufacturers across various segments of the market, contributing to a diversified competitive environment within Russia’s passenger car sector.
Looking at the two-month period, the total reach for new passenger car sales stands at 101,379 units, which represents a 45.2 percent decrease compared with the same timeframe in 2022. The two most consistent themes in February and the early part of the year remain unchanged: Lada maintains a strong domestic footprint at the top of the list, while Chinese brands continue to expand their share in a market undergoing transition. The persistent performance by these brands highlights evolving consumer preferences and the ongoing recalibration of procurement decisions in a constrained macroeconomic setting.
Additional context in the February results notes that the overall market tone leaned toward practical, value-oriented offerings, with customers seemingly prioritizing reliability codes, maintenance costs, and warranty considerations. As production schedules and supply chains adjust to external pressures, automakers that balance price, aftersales support, and local availability are better positioned to sustain traction in this market.
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Sources and methodology: Avtostat statistics and model-level sales tallies provide the backbone for these insights, reflecting a snapshot of consumer choices within Russia’s passenger car sector during February 2023. (Avtostat attribution)