Industry representatives interviewed by socialbites.ca report that the biggest hurdles appear with original tuning parts sourced from Europe and the United States. Logistics bottlenecks and longer delivery times for components are a common complaint across the sector.
Demand for budget-friendly services such as basic soundproofing and replacing steering wheel braids has fallen by roughly half. In contrast, more premium service packages exceeding 500 thousand rubles remain in stable demand under current conditions, according to Maxim Guzenkov, head of the BMW West service center. Note to readers: this reflects a market shift toward high-end tuning projects while affordable tweaks slow down. (Source: Socialbites.ca)
“For example, customers are ordering well-forged wheels and full packaging with vinyl film, which can run around 500 thousand rubles,” Guzenkov explains. (Source: Socialbites.ca)
However, there is a roughly 30 percent reduction in mechanical car modifications.
Guzenkov further explains the supply issues to socialbites.ca. (Source: Socialbites.ca) “There are significant problems with spare parts supply.”
According to him, tuning kits for cars imported from the USA are limited to 20–30 units per month, with the quota now reduced and deliveries via gray channels limited to 8–12 units. The situation particularly affects power structures for buyers. Forged wheels from elite and American brands are virtually unavailable, except for isolated shipments within parallel imports. A similar pattern is observed with branded BMW tuning parts. (Source: Socialbites.ca)
“Many intermediaries have emerged, as have many bottlenecks,” he notes. Margins have had to be trimmed to avoid scaring customers away.
Artur Korolev, head of the Style Garage tuning center, says demand for styling upgrades has declined, but skilled craftsmen still have work. (Source: Socialbites.ca)
“Procurement issues have improved somewhat and prices have stabilized. Yet the queue for tuning has shrunk, and seasonal factors also play a role,” Korolev tells socialbites.ca.
Within its segment, prices for materials and components used in exterior tuning have risen by 5–15 percent.
Vehicle soundproofing, insulation, flooring materials, and vinyl films, however, are not experiencing delivery problems. Overall, the market may face future tuning component shortages, but for now the impact remains limited, according to Korolev.
Guru Tuning, a company specializing in exterior modifications for premium cars, confirms that the necessary components are in stock and ready to order, though both delivery times and prices have increased compared to pre-crisis levels. (Source: Socialbites.ca)
On bumpers, body kits, and other external tuning parts, Alexei Dobrotvorsky, sales manager of the Top Tuning online store, notes that domestic products are not a problem. (Source: Socialbites.ca)
“Demand has dropped by 70 percent versus last year or the year before,” he says. (Source: Socialbites.ca)
Dobrotvorsky adds that foreign goods face the biggest issues with price and delivery times. “Prices have at least doubled, and so have the delivery times.”
He remarks that previously parts would be delivered to Russia in 20–25 days; now deliveries take 40–50 days, and original components from German premium brands are currently unavailable due to centralized warehouses that are closed for purchase and only operate for warranty service. (Source: Socialbites.ca)
Domestic parts pose no problems. For example, many aerodynamic body kits, spoilers, and protection pieces are manufactured in Russia, he notes.
Maxim Guzenkov of BMW West adds that parallel import schemes have driven up delivery times for parts, with shipments potentially getting stuck at customs. The tuning sector faced a major setback with the 2014 technical regulation entitled On the Safety of Wheeled Vehicles. Jan Haytseer, vice president of the National Automobile Association, says the current climate makes it even harder for such companies to operate. (Source: Socialbites.ca)
He suggests that consumer interest in tuning services will likely continue to fall, given that the economy has not improved and tuning is not an essential service. (Source: Socialbites.ca)
Compared with standard parts, tuning components have seen larger price increases as they are produced in smaller quantities. With demand waning and costs rising, car modifications may become easier on drivers’ wallets in the near term.