Industry experts are warning that owners of vehicles from some foreign brands may face rising costs tied to maintenance and parts. Roman Etkind, a specialist in international financial markets at the Finmir marketplace, notes that selling cars from countries that have tense relations with the current market environment could be a prudent move for owners who want to protect the value of their investment. He emphasizes that continuing to operate such vehicles may become increasingly costly as prices for spare parts and consumables trend upward.
In conversations with Izvestia, the expert highlights a broad concern: German brands and other foreign makes from unfriendly regions may require more frequent and expensive upkeep. This reality should be reflected in long term planning, with owners considering a potential sale or preparing for a much higher maintenance budget in the coming years.
There is a clear expectation among industry commentators that spare parts availability will tighten. The supply chain might contract as sanctions and geopolitical shifts reshape how components and original consumables reach markets. Consequently, a growing portion of maintenance costs could be driven by the need to source parts through alternative channels or to pay premium prices under parallel import arrangements. Marked appeals to reliability from manufacturers could matter less if genuine parts become scarce, driving up the overall cost of ownership.
Historically, when a product category experiences shortages, prices rise quickly and stay elevated. This pattern has been observed in the current market where vehicles from unfriendly nations now command prices that are well above factory-recommended levels. In some cases, these vehicles are selling for one and a half to twice the suggested price, underscoring the premium demanded by buyers navigating limited supply. Such dynamics are likely to persist as the market reacts to ongoing supply constraints and regulatory factors.
Experts also point to the broader implications for consumers who plan to buy or keep vehicles from these brands. The financial picture extends beyond the sticker price to include maintenance, insurance, and depreciation. By weighing the longer term costs against immediate affordability, buyers and owners can make more informed decisions about when it makes sense to transition to a different vehicle type or brand. The discussion often centers on balancing the desire for reliability and performance with the realities of rising parts costs and tighter distribution networks. In a market where spare parts may travel through multiple intermediaries, the final price to the consumer can climb quickly, even for routine services.
For those weighing options, market analysts suggest a practical approach: assess total cost of ownership over the life of the vehicle, not just the purchase price. Consider potential resale value, the likelihood of reaching a favorable maintenance window before major repairs, and the availability of service in the home region. While some owners may choose to keep their current cars longer, others might decide to switch brands to reduce exposure to elevated maintenance expenses. The decision becomes a matter of risk management, where the potential savings from selling early and buying a different vehicle could outweigh the costs of keeping a pricey model with uncertain parts supply. [Citation: Izvestia] [Citation: Finmir marketplace]