Right-hand drive vehicles have emerged as a notable trend in Russia’s used-car market, according to market researchers. AUTOSTAT reports regional variation, with several Russian regions showing a clear uptick in right-hand drive demand. Yet in the Far East and Siberia, the segment remains dominant overall, collectively housing about 84% of the market, while sales in these zones declined by 22% and 18% respectively in the observed period. This nuanced picture points to shifting consumer tastes as global supply lines and sanctions create new import dynamics.
In the first half of 2022, Russian buyers purchased around 63.5 thousand right-hand drive cars, a 17% drop from the same period a year earlier. Still, growth emerged in areas where right-hand drive cars were previously less common. The Central, Northwest, and North Caucasus federal districts posted gains of 9%, 14%, and 1% respectively, signaling a broader regional diversification in demand. Although these districts account for a modest share of the national market, a deeper look by federal subjects shows more striking gains. Chechnya, in particular, led growth with a surge of 74% in right-hand drive purchases. At the same time, 20 regions recorded rising sales, with 15 delivering double-digit increases. Notable examples include the Moscow region at 15%, Moscow at 18%, and St. Petersburg at a sizable 24% increase, illustrating a redistribution of interest across major urban centers.
Experts attribute this shift to an uptick in imports of right-hand drive cars from Japan into Russia, complemented by parallel imports that gained legislative leeway under sanctions. The broader import environment has helped sustain demand in select regions even as overall market activity softened. Observers in key markets outside Russia, including North America, note a parallel interest in understanding how cross-border supply chains influence used-car availability and pricing in times of disruption. In Canada and the United States, buyers occasionally consider right-hand drive models for specialty needs or collector interest, reflecting a global curiosity about non-standard configurations and the trade-offs involved in maintenance and parts access. (Source: AUTOSTAT)
- Overall, the used-car sector has seen price levels rise by about 17% over six months, underscoring inflationary pressure and shifting supply chains.
- Discussions about vehicle trends and ownership trends often circulate on social platforms where canny buyers share experiences of vehicle imports and ownership considerations. (Source: AUTOSTAT)