Minivans as Choice Vehicles: Trends in Import Cars among Russian Buyers
In the market for parallel imports, consumers in Russia show a clear preference for minivans sourced from Korea and Europe. This insight comes from Dmitry Rogov, founder of RogovMobil, who discussed current buying patterns in a conversation with socialbites.ca, a platform known for arranging turnkey deliveries of vehicles from South Korea, Europe, and Japan.
Rogov notes that many buyers choose a minivan not as a replacement for a crossover but as a practical upgrade, drawn by the single-volume body and the possibility to reconfigure seating. The typical budget for these vehicles runs around 2.5 to 3 million rubles. Among the most sought after models are the Korean Kia Carnival and the French Citro5 Grand C4 Picasso. Both operate with diesel engines, automatic transmissions, and front-wheel drive, which aligns with buyer demand for efficiency, reliability, and easy maintenance.
Purchasers tend to select the highest level of equipment when placing orders for minivans. Standard configurations often include features that elevate comfort and convenience, such as leather seats with cooling or ventilation, power adjustments, a panoramic sunroof, climate control, and a rearview camera. Rogov highlights that the ability to sell these vehicles quickly on the secondary market, with minimal depreciation, adds an appealing layer of financial practicality for buyers.
For larger, robust models, Japanese minivans like the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna remain popular choices in this segment. These vehicles are typically equipped with naturally aspirated gasoline engines and traditional automatic transmissions. A notable advantage for the Sienna is its all-wheel-drive system, which broadens the vehicle’s applicability across varying road conditions and climates.
Furthermore, industry observers observe that depictions of depreciation and resale value in the secondary market can influence buying decisions. Jan Haytseer, who previously held the role of Vice President at the National Automobile Association, has remarked on this topic in relation to crossovers and their resale trends on the secondary market. The discussion underscores how economic considerations, alongside engineering and feature sets, shape the preferred lineup for import buyers. [citation attribution to socialbites.ca]