The Russian automotive market could enter a period of stabilization within the next two to three months, according to Oleg Amirov, founder of AutoExpert and a host on Sputnik. He notes that May saw a dramatic drop in new car sales across the Russian Federation by 83.5 percent, yet early June appears to show a reversing trend. This suggests a turning point where some of the demand that was suppressed by sanctions and economic pressures might begin to re-emerge as buyers adjust to the new pricing and financing environment.
According to Amirov, the market remains buoyant enough to expect a gradual return to balance. He predicts stabilization over the next couple of months, even though overall figures will not mirror last year’s volume. The key message is that positive momentum is visible, driven by a combination of lower vehicle prices and easier access to credit, rather than a full return to pre-crisis levels. This nuance is important for policymakers, lenders, and dealers who monitor demand signals for planning and inventory management.
Demand for autos has grown in part because prices have softened by roughly 10 percent compared with the March-April period. Another factor supporting buyers is the Central Bank’s key interest rate, which remains favorable for financing purchases. With lower monthly payments available on loans, more households can justify a new car exchange or upgrade. Dealers are quietly navigating the ongoing sanctions by exploring channels and agreements that help them move units without attracting the heaviest penalties, which keeps showroom floors from going completely empty while the supply landscape evolves.
In a related development, the Russian market has seen a notable uptick in demand for right-hand drive vehicles from Japan. The appetite for these imports increased by about 30 to 40 percent in recent months, reflecting a preference among certain buyers for specific models or configurations that continue to be available despite broader market headwinds. This trend underscores how consumer preferences, credit conditions, and import logistics interact in a challenging environment, shaping the mix of vehicles that visible inventories and showrooms present to potential buyers. Buyers often weigh the total cost of ownership, including maintenance and spare parts availability, when choosing between new releases and slightly older stock that still meets practical needs and budget constraints. The evolving mix of products on dealer floors indicates resilience in parts supply and the ability of vendors to adapt to shifting sanctions and trade rules while still delivering for customers who want modern features and better warranty terms. This dynamic also shows that the market is not monolithic; regional differences and showroom strategies can influence how quickly different segments recover and how quickly lasting demand re-establishes itself across the country.