The Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR) has put forward a concrete plan aimed at reducing the customs duties and taxes tied to importing used cars for personal use by people living in the Far East. This initiative was reported by TASS, with the call directed to the Russian prime minister, Mikhail Mishustin.
According to the LDPR delegation, which had just returned from Sakhalin, the proposal originated from local residents and voters who want more affordable options for personal transport. The current price gap is stark: new vehicles produced in central Russia cost significantly more after duties than used cars arriving from Japan or China. This disparity makes purchasing new models prohibitively expensive for many residents in the Far East, including Sakhalin Island.
In response, the LDPR urged Mishustin to explore mechanisms that would ease the burden of customs duties and taxes on used cars imported for private use, even if those vehicles have right-hand drive configurations. The aim is to create a more practical path to ownership for families and individuals who rely on foreign-used fleets, where the financial barrier is a major deterrent to keeping up with personal mobility needs.
Separately, Sollers Auto disclosed plans to begin producing two new light commercial vehicle models under its own brand in 2022 at its facility in Tatarstan. The project was supplemented by a broader agreement involving the company’s SPIC operations and was endorsed by Denis Manturov, Russia’s Minister of Industry and Trade. This development signals ongoing investment in domestic manufacturing capabilities, potentially influencing the broader landscape of vehicle supply, competition, and pricing in the country’s automotive sector. The interaction between policy proposals like the LDPR’s and industrial commitments from carmakers underscores a multifaceted approach to vehicle accessibility, domestic production, and regional economic impact across Russia’s diverse regions.