Iranian car models have not yet captured a broad foothold among Russian buyers. This assessment comes from Rossiyskaya Gazeta, citing insights from automotive expert Evgeny Zhitnukhin. He notes several reasons behind the slower adoption of Iranian brands in Russia. According to him, issues linked to electronics, suspension configurations that do not align with Russian road conditions, and faster wear of some components all contribute to a cautious consumer response. He adds that Iranian cars often appear to cost more than expected, with affordable options that could compete with vehicles from AvtoVAZ not always available in the market. These factors together shape the buying calculus for Russian customers. As cited by Rossiyskaya Gazeta, the limited selection of dealers for purchasing and servicing Iranian vehicles further complicates long-term ownership decisions for potential buyers.
In December 2023, the Russian new-car market demonstrated a notable surge, marking the strongest monthly performance in the past two years. During this month, the country saw 119.5 thousand new passenger cars sold, a figure that represents a 2.1 times increase compared with December of the previous year. Earlier in the timeline, December 2021 stood as the peak month for new-car sales, with 133.6 thousand passenger cars sold in Russia. Analysts highlight this spike as part of a broader recovery pattern in consumer demand and automotive activity as the market navigates varied macroeconomic signals.
The question of price dynamics in January also attracted attention. Analysts and industry observers looked at which car models had their prices reduced and how that shift affected consumer choices. While specific models are not listed in this overview, the emphasis remains on price movements as a determining factor for future purchasing decisions and brand competition among mainstream and imported vehicles. Rossiyskaya Gazeta outlines these considerations to explain ongoing shifts in buyer sentiment and market structure.