Dealers in Russia have started to widely import Chinese-assembled vehicles branded as Japanese makes through parallel import channels. This trend is being reported by quto.ru, which notes the growing activity in this niche of the market.
The portal highlights a notable shipment brought into Russia by a large car retailer. The batch consists of Nissan X-Trail models manufactured at the Dongfeng Nissan joint venture in China. In this Chinese version, the engine lineup differs from the standard version: the vehicle is equipped with a three-cylinder 1.5-liter powerplant delivering 204 horsepower, and the offer is for a four-wheel-drive configuration. The value of these Chinese-assembled X-Trails has sparked discussion among buyers who are seeking alternatives to traditional model lines available in the country.
The asking price for the Chinese Nissan X-Trail is around 4.15 million rubles, with some sellers quoting premiums of 300,000 to 400,000 rubles above the base price. In the Russian market, this model could present a competitive option against the gray-market Geely Monjaro, a model whose sales trajectory has shown signs of cooling in recent months.
Earlier reports indicated that starting on April 1, new import rules would take effect for cars entering the Russian Federation. Under the revised regime, if a vehicle’s price has been understated, buyers may be required to pay a higher recycling fee at the border. This fee is intended to cover the cumulative difference in customs duties, excise taxes, and value-added tax between Russia and EAEU member states, consolidating several fiscal adjustments into a single charge. These changes could influence the total cost of parallel imports for consumers and dealers alike, shifting the economic calculus of mid-range and premium used- and new-vehicle purchases.
In related developments, there were preliminary announcements about the start of sales for SWM-branded vehicles within Russia, signaling another wave of new entrants in the local market landscape. This influx underscores the evolving regulatory and market environment as import dynamics adapt to new rules and consumer demand evolves in response to price considerations and availability. [Citation: quto.ru]