Large car dealers have begun bringing vehicles into Russia through parallel imports to resell them to other car retailers. This is the picture described by the publication Vedomosti. The move signals a shift in how brands reach Russian buyers and how dealerships position themselves in a market where traditional supply chains have faced disruption.
Within this shift, the Avilon dealer network has publicly discussed importing cars for resale. Gratsin Belenova, who heads the wholesale department, explained that Avilon has emerged as an alternative distributor for brands that have temporarily halted direct deliveries to Russia. The company notes that the scale of orders from partner dealers can range from several hundred to about a thousand cars at a time, underscoring the breadth of demand among regional retailers for vehicles sourced through nonstandard channels. [Citation: Vedomosti]
As a concrete demonstration, Avilon cited a shipment of more than 850 Chinese-made Volkswagen Bora models brought into Russia. The company also indicated that a further batch of Bora is expected in the spring, alongside models such as Tayron, Talagon, Voyah Dreamer, Toyota Camry, FAW B70, Jetta VA3, Hongqi H9 and Hongqi ES9. These examples illustrate how parallel imports are expanding the assortment available to Russian buyers and how aggregators are coordinating cross-brand supply flows. [Citation: Vedomosti]
Additionally, Yulia Ovchinnikova, Director of Development and Innovation, highlighted that Klyuchavto operates a dedicated division to handle cars supplied to Russia through parallel imports. This arrangement is described as enabling Klyuchavto to deliver vehicles not only to its own dealerships but also to a broader circle of partners, thereby broadening access to a wider mix of models and brands in the domestic market. [Citation: Vedomosti]
Historically, consumers in Russia confronted extra equipment charges when purchasing new cars from dealers, a practice that has influenced buyer behavior and negotiation dynamics. The evolution toward parallel imports, and the reframing of how vehicles enter the market, has implications for pricing, warranty coverage, and after-sales service. Market observers note that the shift may alter competition among authorized importers, independent distributors, and regional networks, while also raising questions about regulatory oversight and consumer protection in the parallel-import ecosystem. [Citation: Vedomosti]