In November 2023 the Russian bus market saw 1,312 units sold, according to the latest figures from the analytical agency Avtostat, with the month showing an 8 percent increase over the same period in the previous year. This rise helps illustrate a broader pattern of domestic and regional demand for urban and intercity transport solutions during the autumn season. The data source cited is Passport Industrial Consulting, which has become a reference point for market watchers tracking vehicle supply and sales trends across Russia.
Within the overall mix, the PAZ brand remained the dominant force, accounting for about 40 percent of the market share and achieving 526 bus sales in November. While this represented a 6 percent decline versus November 2022, PAZ’s position at the top of the ranking underscores longstanding brand loyalty and a broad sales network that supports ongoing regular deliveries to municipal and private operators alike. The gap between the leader and the rest of the field remains sizable, reflecting PAZ’s entrenched presence in the domestic bus landscape.
In a distant second place, the Volgabus brand posted 159 units in November, up 13 percent year over year. This uptick signals growing competitive pressure in the market and a confirmation that regional manufacturers are continuing to gain traction by expanding production capacity and diversifying model lines to meet varied operator needs such as passenger comfort, fuel efficiency, and maintenance costs.
Close behind Volgabus, the Chinese manufacturer Yutong delivered 152 buses in November, marking a noteworthy decline of 29 percent from the previous year. The shift hints at the varying dynamics of supply chains, pricing, and fleet renewal cycles that influence brand choices among Russian buyers, particularly for models targeting mid-range price brackets and standardized performance profiles.
Another important player, NEFAZ, surpassed the 100-bus milestone with 130 units sold in November, which is an 11 percent year-over-year rise. NEFAZ’s growth reflects ongoing demand for models that combine practical urban capacity with easier maintenance and a favorable total cost of ownership, factors operators weigh when planning municipal fleet renewals or expansions.
The top five brands in the November ranking were rounded out by LIAZ, which moved 91 units, reflecting a minor decrease of 2 percent compared with the prior year. This placement emphasizes the continued relevance of legacy domestic producers alongside newer entrants, each vying to secure contracts with regional authorities and private operators looking for reliable performance and service networks.
Looking at the year-to-date results covering the first eleven months, market analysts estimated that new bus sales in Russia rose by about one‑third compared with the same period last year, reaching roughly 14.2 thousand units. This sustained growth underscores a pattern of steady fleet renewal across both urban and regional routes, as municipalities seek to modernize their public transportation infrastructure to improve reliability, reduce emissions, and provide better service to passengers.
Industry observers note that the price environment for remaining German premium cars in the Russian market has shown sharp increases in recent periods, a trend attributed to exchange rate dynamics, supply constraints, and the complex sanctions landscape affecting imports. Operators and fleet managers are weighing these price movements against everything else in their procurement calculus, sometimes leading them to favor domestically produced or regionally manufactured options where available. This overall price context reinforces the strategic importance of domestic brands and regional supply chains in sustaining bus fleets through the coming years, even as the international market continues to influence component costs and warranty considerations for operators across the country.