New findings from the Otkritie Avto survey reveal that a solid 61% of Russians feel confident that car manufacturers who paused operations in the country will return someday. This sentiment sits amid a broader mood of anticipation for the automotive landscape to stabilize, with people watching closely how supply chains and factory reopenings might reshape what’s available on showroom floors. In practical terms, this optimism translates to a belief that future product lines, technology upgrades, and service networks could recover at a pace that helps restore consumer choice and market stability after a period of disruption.
When detailing which brands left the market, the data shows a clear echo of nostalgia among buyers. European brands are most missed, with 42% noting their absence as a tangible gap in the lineup. Japanese brands follow closely, recognized by 39% of respondents as missed, while Korean brands are lamented by 15% and American brands by 5%. This pattern underscores how brand heritage, design language, and perceived reliability influence consumer memories and expectations during times of transition. The results also reflect a layered regional memory, where certain names are recalled with more intensity due to historical presence and local dealership footprints.
Regional differences stand out in the responses. The Moscow region and the Central Federal District show strongest regret for the withdrawal of Korean brands, marking 52% and 50% respectively. In the Far East, the nostalgia for Japanese brands runs particularly deep, reaching 85% of respondents. The North Caucasus and the Urals report more pronounced sentiment for Korean brands, while Americans are most often regretted in the Northwest. These trends suggest that local market histories, logistics, and prior brand concentration shape how communities perceive gaps in the lineup and how they weigh future restoration of supply as a driver of regional economies.
At the same time, many respondents express skepticism about parallel import schemes as a sole remedy for shortages. A large share believes these measures do not fully resolve the squeeze on availability, reinforcing the idea that a holistic approach to restoring supply requires coordinated actions from manufacturers, distributors, and regulatory bodies. The overall impression is that temporary fixes may ease some immediate pressures, but they do not substitute for a robust, long-term plan to rebuild inventory levels, expand authorized dealer networks, and synchronize pricing with actual market demand.
From the respondents’ perspective, current events are expected to influence how much leeway car manufacturers and dealers have in setting prices. A majority anticipates price increases to continue well into the near term, with opinions clustering around a rise for 2023 and a smaller segment braced for stabilization. In practical terms, shoppers anticipate higher total costs for vehicles and related services, while some buyers may pursue promotions, financing incentives, or alternative mobility options to offset the ongoing cost pressures. This climate creates a cautious buyer mindset, where value, warranty terms, and after-sales support become critical decision factors when evaluating potential purchases.
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