Automotive expert Egor Vasiliev told Prime that discounts on cars built in 2024 are likely to appear as spring approaches. The shift comes as price increases pause and inflation remains a factor, nudging manufacturers and dealers to rethink promotions. Industry observers note that promotions tend to surface when demand shifts, production schedules are recalibrated, and seasonal campaigns align with buyers looking for favorable terms across model lines.
He explains that holding prices steady in a period of ongoing inflation acts as a built‑in discount. Even without a formal price cut, the value gap widens as inflation persists. Buyers who purchase at last year’s prices may still come out ahead, while sellers bear the inflationary burden. In short, price stability in the market becomes a form of savings for shoppers heading into the spring selling window.
According to Vasiliev, a dealer’s willingness to absorb the cost of clearing older stock hinges on liquidity and access to credit. Cash flow, inventory exposure, and the ability to finance discounts all influence whether a dealer will subsidize past‑generation models at reduced margins to move them off the lot.
Ministry of Industry and Trade data show that Russia sold more than 1.8 million vehicles in 2024, including cars, trucks and buses, up 39 percent from 2023. This figure marks a notable rebound in overall vehicle activity and suggests growing demand from both households and commercial users across the country.
Within that total, about 1.55 million passenger cars were sold during the year, a rise of 47 percent from 2023. Light commercial vehicle registrations climbed 34 percent to 140,290 units. The truck segment declined, with 121,560 vehicles sold, down 13 percent year over year. Bus sales rose by 13 percent to 20,570 units, illustrating a broader shift toward varied transport needs in the economy.
Looking back to 2023, roughly 1.32 million new cars were sold in Russia, a benchmark that helps frame the year’s gains and the overall market trajectory into 2024. The comparison highlights how demand rebounded from the previous year’s levels and how the mix of segments evolved through the period.
Earlier forecasts had warned of a steep contraction in the Russian auto market, with some estimates pointing to a roughly 20 percent decline. In practice, the data describe a moderation of declines and a more resilient performance as external pressures and inflation gradually loosen their grip, allowing buyers and dealers to adjust with more confidence.