A recent survey conducted by VTB and Otkritie Auto reveals mixed perceptions about Iranian cars among Russian respondents, with 48% expressing a level of trust in vehicles from Iran. This finding appears in the release archived by socialbites.ca, and it underscores how consumer attitudes toward non-European brands are evolving in fast changing markets.
The survey also shows that only about one third of participants, 32%, are aware that Iranian cars can be purchased in Russia today. That means roughly 68% of those surveyed are unfamiliar with the possibility. When looking at perceived value, 16% identify an attractive price and quality balance as a key selling point for Iranian cars, while 12% highlight affordability as a core advantage. On the flip side, 29% say there are no standout benefits, and overall 47% do not recognize advantages offered by Iranian cars at all.
Knowledge gaps extend to potential drawbacks as well. Nearly half of respondents, 49%, admit they know nothing about the drawbacks of Iranian cars. Among those who can name downsides, 16% point to weaker technical performance, 15% criticize the underdeveloped dealer network, and 13% feel that comfort and safety do not meet expectations. Another 13% mention a lack of spare parts as a significant disadvantage, while 12% each cite a limited model range and lower component quality as concerns.
There is also skepticism about how Iranian brands can win the trust of Russian consumers. Sixteen percent of respondents firmly believe that Iranian cars have little chance to gain traction in Russia because buyers already enjoy a wide choice among established brands.
On the pricing front, the market has seen notable shifts. For instance, the cost of a new Chinese-made car in Russia recently stood at around 3.3 million rubles. Prices for these vehicles rose by about 11% over the course of the year. Brand level observations show that new Geely models increased by an average of 16%, while Chery added roughly 15%. Changan saw about an 8% rise, and Exeed and Omoda experienced smaller increases around 2%. Conversely, the weighted average price for Haval vehicles declined by about 2%.
Looking at the used market, forecasts suggested that second-hand Chinese cars could double in price by the end of 2023, with the average vehicle price approaching 1.8 million rubles at that time. (citation: VTB and Otkritie Auto survey.)
In December 2023 Russians spent a record 385 billion rubles on new car purchases, a figure that represented a 2.6 times increase from the previous year within the observed period. These dynamics highlight a broader trend: consumers are continually weighing value, reliability, and after-sales support when considering brands beyond the traditional domestic players. (citation: VTB and Otkritie Auto survey.)
What happened with pricing and demand for cars in Russia in January remains part of the ongoing narrative that analysts and industry watchers are tracking. The evolving market demonstrates that consumer sentiment toward non-traditional brands is volatile and highly responsive to price shifts, perceived quality, and the development of a robust nationwide service network. (citation: VTB and Otkritie Auto survey.)
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