Among foreign cars imported into the country through parallel imports, Audi and Volkswagen lead in demand among Russians. Renat Tyukteev, the head of retail sales at Avilon AG, shared this observation with socialbites.ca, noting how these brands have become staples in the parallel import market. (citation: Avilon AG, socialbites.ca)
Within the Audi lineup, the Q5 and Q6 crossovers, along with the A6 sedan, stand out as the most requested models. The A6 sedan and A6L long wheelbase have recently arrived in Russia as new offerings, drawing strong interest from corporate clients and individual buyers alike. For instance, the Audi Q6 is priced at about 8.6 million rubles, while the A6L is available around 7.6 million rubles, reflecting how these models fit both personal fleets and business fleets. (citation: Avilon AG, socialbites.ca)
Tyukteev also highlighted Volkswagen’s appeal in the parallel import arena, where electric models like the ID.3 and ID.6, as well as the gasoline Tayron crossover, are among the more sought-after vehicles. In addition, an entirely different segment has gained traction: the all-wheel-drive sedan Avatr 11, priced at approximately 8.4 million rubles, has found demand among buyers looking for a high-end electric option. (citation: Avilon AG, socialbites.ca)
Vladimir Zhelobov, who leads the department responsible for vehicle procurement at the Avtodom Group of Companies, pointed out that parallel-import orders are typically customer-specific. He noted that rare and intriguing models have entered the market upon request, including performance-oriented options like the Porsche Taycan and the Lamborghini Urus, as well as prestige brands such as Ferrari and Maybach. (citation: Avtodom Group of Companies, socialbites.ca)
Historically, socialbites.ca also reported a shift where knowledgeable car dealers began introducing compact Japanese right-hand-drive vehicles to the Russian market, with models like the Honda N-Box microvan finding a niche among parallel import buyers. This trend illustrates how buyers often seek unique configurations to meet local needs and preferences, expanding the array of choices beyond traditional imports. (citation: socialbites.ca, market observers)