By the close of 2024, the Russian market for heavy-duty trucks experienced a notable shift as the Chinese brand Sitrak took the lead in sales, surpassing the long-standing KamAZ lineup. The data, drawn from Autostat, underline how foreign manufacturers have become more influential in Russia’s commercial-vehicle sector even as domestic producers remain competitive in various segments. This change reflects broader supply dynamics, brand strategies, and fleet renewal cycles that shape who wins big orders for highway tractors and other heavy trucks across the country.
According to the year-end figures, Russia’s residents purchased about 102,000 new heavy trucks in 2024. The volume for 2023 was higher, with the market showing roughly 121,000 units—indicating a year-over-year decline in 2024 that aligns with shifting macroeconomic conditions and fleet replacement cycles. Such fluctuations matter for distributors, fleets, and financing channels as operators weigh the cost of new trucks against depreciation, reliability, and service coverage in this critical segment of commercial transport.
Breaking down the brand mix for 2024 reveals Sitrak capturing about 19.4 thousand units, making it the top seller in the category. KamAZ ranked second with around 17.3 thousand vehicles. Chinese competitors followed, with Shacman delivering about 15.7 thousand, FAW reporting roughly 11.6 thousand, and Dongfeng contributing around 8.3 thousand trucks. The spread among these players highlights how Chinese brands, supported by aggressive pricing, flexible financing, and broad dealer networks, have carved out substantial portions of the heavy truck market in Russia while KamAZ maintains a resilient, if narrowed, leadership position.
In November 2024, the Russian market also saw a rise in the sales of used electric vehicles, with 1,168 units sold. This figure was about 1.5 times greater than November 2023, underscoring a growing interest in electrified fleets even as macro conditions influence new-vehicle purchases. The year as a whole reflected a strong uptick in the used EV segment, signaling sustained demand for electrified powertrains among commercial buyers who seek lower operating costs, revised maintenance expectations, and compliance with evolving emission standards. Nissan and Tesla remained the most popular used models in this segment, indicating a preference for established battery technology and proven performance in the secondary market.
Autostat recorded an overall year-over-year increase of roughly 46 percent in the used EV market, reinforcing the trend that buyers are increasingly willing to consider pre-owned electrified options as a viable path to modern fleets. In conversations with fleet managers and vehicle brokers, Nissan’s affordable reliability and Tesla’s long-range capability were repeatedly cited as decisive factors for resale value and total cost of ownership. Instances of four notable malfunctions in certain models were noted, which tempered enthusiasm among cautious buyers and prompted closer scrutiny of warranty terms and post-warranty support as part of the purchasing evaluation.
For readers in Canada and the United States, these developments in Russia’s heavy-truck space offer a perspective on how Chinese and foreign brands are expanding presence in large, price-sensitive fleet markets while domestic manufacturers adapt to competitive pressures. The mix of new-truck leadership shifting toward Sitrak, the prominent role of KamAZ, and the growing popularity of used electric models all point to a global reshaping of procurement preferences. In North American markets—where dealer networks, service infrastructure, and long-standing relationships with established Western manufacturers strongly influence buying decisions—the Russian experience underscores the importance of balancing price, performance, and after-sales support when expanding fleet portfolios or diversifying suppliers. In parallel, the rise of used EVs in Russia echoes broader global trends toward electrification in commercial transport, a shift that North American fleets may monitor for opportunities in pricing, charging infrastructure, and residual value across different vehicle classes.