Right after the first Moskvich models rolled off the assembly line, excitement surged. Buyers lined up, ready to secure one, and dealers moved fast to close deals. While negotiations for purchasing cars from the Moscow factory involve taxi operators Citymobil and Yandex Taxi, the industry faces a stubborn truth: new machines are in short supply. Sanctions from the West have tightened the flow of parts and funds, slowing fleet updates as many firms struggle to refresh their aging vehicles.
The capital enjoys a notably fresh fleet compared with other regions. In Moscow the average age of a taxi is about 2.7 years, a figure that stands out inside Europe. By contrast, provincial fleets show a wider gap, with older cars still common on many streets.
For the capital, the upgrade cadence appears manageable. Yet in the rest of the country, where the average taxi is older than five years, the economics of renewal are far more challenging. Even if more units could be added, operators must weigh the ongoing costs and maintenance against potential profits. This makes wholesale refreshes slow and incremental.
Crossovers carry a higher price tag, and operators expect to see more affordable sedans from Moskvich to satisfy demand for practical, city-friendly models. The push is for reliable, economical cars that perform well in urban routes, rather than flashy alternatives that strain budgets.
- Drive can be read in Telegram.
Caption: Moscow cityscape and the vehicle fleet in motion. Photographic attribution: Mikhail Tereshchenko for TASS.
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