In the closing week of December, five Chinese car brands joined the top ten most popular names on Russia’s market, according to the analytics firm Avtostat. The snapshot shows a shift in consumer preference as Chinese models gained a stronger foothold in the country’s automotive landscape.
The most popular Chinese brands by sales from December 26 to January 1 were Chery with 2367 units, Haval with 1467, Geely with 1099, Exeed with 648, and Omoda with 349. This marks a notable presence of Chinese manufacturers in the elite segment of the market, underscoring growing demand for their offerings in Russia.
Lada continues to lead the overall brand rankings, selling 4813 units, and overall, the top five is completed by a trio of Chinese-affiliated models under the Kia banner, which sold 933 units combined. The list also includes Hyundai with 723 units, Toyota with 360, and UAZ with 329. Other brands in the mix posted results below 300 units, highlighting a competitive but uneven distribution of demand across brands.
Among the most popular individual models for Russian buyers are the Lada Granta and Niva Travel, Chery Tiggo 7 Pro, Lada Niva Legend, Geely Coolray, Haval Jolion, Chery Tiggo 4, Haval F7, Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max, and Geely Atlas Pro. These choices reflect a blend of domestic favorites and rising interest in Chinese crossovers and SUVs, signaling evolving taste patterns in the market.
Earlier, tests of Chinese models were also noted, including the Cool Poer van and the Chery Omoda C5 crossover, illustrating a broader experimentation with Chinese marques across different segments and body styles. This broader activity complements the market data, suggesting that consumer exposure and perception of Chinese brands are expanding in Russia.