In May 2023, a noticeable shift occurred in the Russian car market as prices for 61 new passenger car configurations rose compared to April. This assessment comes from the marketing agency NAPI, which analyzed automakers’ recommended retail prices to track changes across the market. The observed increase ranged from 1% to 7%, highlighting a broad spectrum of adjustments across popular models and trims.
The report notes that the latest price cut had occurred in March 2023, when a few models saw slight reductions. According to NAPI, no automaker trimmed prices in May, and there was no shift in price levels in April either, indicating a period of stabilizing or rising pricing during that window.
Among the notable shifts was the Chinese crossover Haval Dargo, where price growth varied by configuration but consistently landed in the 6% to 7% monthly range. In practical terms, every version of the Dargo saw its price rise by about 200 thousand rubles over the period. The base Comfort configuration moved to 3 million rubles from the previous level around 2.8 million rubles, underscoring the significant markup across all trims for this model.
AvtoVAZ followed suit with price increases for the Granta, applying a rise of between 2% and 5% depending on the version. One of the Granta’s variants, the Club edition, climbed from 855.9 thousand rubles to 894.9 thousand rubles, marking a perceptible premium for the upgraded trim within the lineup.
The GAC GS8 crossover also posted a price uptick, with the small GE configuration gaining roughly 7% (about 200 thousand rubles). The current starting price for this configuration stood at around 2,989,000 rubles, reflecting a broader trend of elevated price points for mid-range SUVs in the market.
These pricing movements occurred in a context where manufacturers were balancing supply dynamics, currency influences, and inflationary pressures that affect the cost structure of vehicle production and distribution. The May 2023 data points to a market environment where continued price adjustments became an expected part of the sales cycle, as automakers recalibrated sticker prices in response to evolving costs and demand signals.
There were other notable mentions in the market recap, including chatter about changes in brand strategies and model lineups. For instance, it was reported that Changan planned to introduce Eado Plus sedan sales in Russia, signaling anticipated additions to the local lineup and potential shifts in consumer choice as new models enter the retail channel. Such movements often influence pricing strategies across the broader market as automakers compete for consumer attention in a dynamic environment.
In summary, May 2023 presented a clear picture of price escalations across several popular models in Russia, with the majority of major brands adjusting pricing rather than discounting. The trend reflected a combination of manufacturer pricing policy adjustments and market factors that influence total cost of ownership for buyers looking at new passenger cars in the region. The ongoing evolution of the market suggests that buyers should stay attentive to monthly price changes, trim-level differences, and upcoming model introductions when planning purchases or evaluating the value proposition of different vehicles.