The Russian market for used cars showed a clear momentum shift as September closed, with sales rising by 10.9 percent to about 509.5 thousand units. The increase, however, came with signs of a slower pace compared with August, according to data compiled by the analytical agency Autostat and reported by Kommersant. This nuance highlights a market that is expanding in volume but facing softer month-over-month growth as autumn progresses.
Looking at September 2023 specifically, the market experienced a 7.6 percent decrease from August, underscoring a typical monthly wobble in the sector even as overall demand remains robust. Within this landscape, domestic brands continued to perform strongly in the secondary market. Lada led the pack in the first autumn month, recording an 8.4 percent rise to 115.3 thousand units, signaling sustained consumer interest in homegrown models. Following closely was Toyota, with sales totaling 59.1 thousand units, securing the second spot among the top brands. Kia took third with 27.9 thousand units, while Hyundai and Nissan posted solid results of 27.3 thousand and 27.1 thousand units respectively, rounding out the top five and reflecting the broad appeal of mainstream, reliable choices in the used-car segment.
Industry observers point to broader forecasts from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, which have circulated in previous discussions about the sector. A representative from the ministry suggested that the Russian automobile market could begin a recovery trajectory, with the possibility of reaching around 1.3 million vehicle sales in 2024. This outlook frames a longer-term view where sales volumes are expected to align with the average annual level seen between 2015 and 2021, gradually growing by roughly 1 percent each year from 2027 onward. If these projections hold, the market could approach approximately 1.8 million new and used car units annually by 2030, with a continued climb to about 1.9 million units per year by 2035, assuming steady macroeconomic conditions and consumer demand.
Earlier industry coverage in ROAD noted similar expectations for the broader market, estimating that around 950 thousand new passenger cars would be sold in Russia in 2023. Taken together, these discussions point to a market that remains resilient in the face of varied external factors, supported by a mix of domestic production and import activity, ongoing consumer interest, and a transition period in brand preferences as buyers weigh price, reliability, and servicing networks.