In late 2023, the leading pickup truck in Russia, by reported figures from Autostat Information, was the Great Wall Poer. The trend highlighted a notable shift in demand within the domestic market, reflecting how a single model can reshape category leadership across months of trade data.
Compared with November of the previous year, Poer sales surged by 203 percent, climbing from 134 to 406 units. The UAZ Pickup held the second spot in the market during the same period, with sales rising 66 percent from 211 units to 350. In third place, another Great Wall model, the Great Wall Kingkong pickup, posted 182 units sold in November, underscoring the brand’s continued influence in the segment.
Rounding out the top five were the Changan Hunter Plus with 178 units and the JAC T6 with 157 units sold during the month. These figures illustrate a competitive field where traditional learners and newer entrants vie for shelf space and consumer attention in a market that values payload, reliability, and post‑sale support as much as outright price.
Across the first eleven months of 2023, the Russian pickup market saw 15,648 new units sold, marking a 130 percent year‑over‑year increase versus January–November 2022. This growth narrative points to renewed interest in double‑cab and extended‑cab configurations, improved dealership networks, and the impact of a stronger retail environment that favors utility vehicles for work and everyday use alike.
There have been ongoing developments behind the scenes as well. Production historically centered at the former Volvo facility in Kaluga is transitioning to new scales and models, with production plans indicating the next phase of growth includes the introduction of Russian‑made trucks under the Next brand. If the plan proceeds as outlined, approximately 2,000 units are expected to roll off the line in 2024, signaling a strategic move toward higher localization and supply resilience for domestic buyers and fleets.
On a related note, upcoming lineup announcements have included the Kaiyi X7 Kunlun crossover, which is anticipated to enter the market at a price point around 3 million rubles. This development underscores the broader push by several brands to expand into adjacent segments and to offer compelling value propositions for Russian consumers who demand modern features, strong warranty coverage, and favorable total cost of ownership.