The Association of European Businesses released fresh figures on new car registrations in Russia for May 2022, and the results paint a stark picture. The market shows a clear contraction year over year, with turnover dipping sharply compared with May 2021.
Take the overall market leaders as an example. Lexus registrations tumbled by 84 percent, from 38,284 units in May 2021 to 6,012 in May 2022. Hyundai and Kia followed a similar trajectory, with declines around 82 percent and 81 percent respectively. The downturn is linked to shutdowns at manufacturing sites caused by parts shortages and higher dealer prices, which trimmed consumer demand and delayed shipments.
Some brands that used to enjoy strong popularity markedly curtailed their sales. Lexus, in particular, saw a dramatic retreat. In May 2022 only 20 vehicles from this brand were registered, compared with 1,866 a year earlier. It is worth noting that Japan restricted shipments of cars valued above six million yen, a policy that can influence both supply and pricing in the Russian market.
FIAT also faced a sharp drop, recording only two vans sold in May 2022, down from 82 units the previous year. Volvo ranked third in the period, with 38 cars sold in May 2022 versus 919 in May 2021, marking a 96 percent decline.
Among the brands grouped under Volkswagen AG, the situation remained severe. Audi, Skoda, Porsche, and other VW Group entries posted steep declines, with lower sales across the board due to the import ban and the higher price of cars exceeding 50,000 euros (approximately 3.25 million rubles at current rates). The effect of depleted inventories is evident, and the ability to import more affordable models into Russia remained constrained. As a result, ongoing reductions in sales are anticipated.
Top 10 declines in new car sales in the Russian market for May 2022 (AEB data):
| Place | Brand | Sale May 2022 | Sale May 2021 | Drop in sales |
| a | Lexus | 20 | 1,866 | -99% |
| 2 | FIAT | 2 | 82 | -98% |
| 3 | Volvo | 38 | 919 | -96% |
| 4 | VW Commercial / Red. | 25 | 611 | -96% |
| 5 | Porsche | 26 | 540 | -95% |
| 6 | VW | 579 | 9,115 | -94% |
| 7 | Toyota | 456 | 7,349 | -94% |
| 8 | Land Rover | 40 | 625 | -94% |
| 9 | Skoda | 805 | 9,561 | -92% |
| 10 | Suzuki | 87 | 931 | -91% |
These figures underscore the broader impact of supply chain disruptions, import restrictions, and price pressures on demand in Russia’s automotive market. With inventories thinning and import channels constrained, sales patterns are unlikely to recover quickly in the near term, unless policy, currency stability, and supply conditions improve. The May 2022 data thus reflect not just a one-month blip but a shifting landscape for automakers operating in or exporting to the Russian market.
Source note: AEB data corroborates the observed declines across multiple brands, illustrating how external constraints shaped buying choices during this period. The trends highlight the need for automakers to adjust portfolios, pricing strategies, and supply commitments in response to evolving regulatory and economic conditions in Russia.