Russian market overview: Chinese car sales and price trends in 2022
Researchers from the Avito Auto portal were commissioned by Rossiyskaya Gazeta to examine sales data from January through September 2022. The resulting analysis highlights which Chinese car brands dominated the Russian market during that period and how different models performed within the top lists.
- Chery accounted for 31.8% of all Chinese car sales in Russia during the nine-month span.
- Lifan held 20.2% of the Chinese-brand share.
- Geely registered 18.8% of Chinese-brand sales.
- Great Wall delivered 11.3% of the Chinese sales among Russians.
- Haval contributed 6.5%.
Crossovers and sedans dominated the ranking of best-selling models in this segment. The standout vehicle in the top 15 was the Chery Tiggo, which held an 8.4% share of sales in its category. The Lifan Solano followed with a 6.6% share, and the Lifan X60 trailed in third place with 5.7%. Other notable entries included the Chery Amulet at 4.9% and the Geely Emgrand EC7 at 4.8%.
The top 15 best-selling models also featured Geely MK and MK Cross, Atlas, and several popular Chinese models that resonated with buyers in the period. The lineup showcased a mix of compact sedans and compact crossovers that were particularly well suited to the Russian consumer environment during that time frame.
Prices and availability
Vehicle pricing in this segment largely reflects age and wear. Fresh Chinese cars up to two years old were typically offered in the range of about 1.95 million rubles on average. Cars aged from two to four years carried an average price around 1.33 million rubles, while four- to seven-year-old units averaged roughly 699,000 rubles. For Chinese cars older than seven years, the average price dropped to about 250,000 rubles.
Experts observed a shift in the secondary market, with more Chinese-made cars appearing as two-year-old or newer in the inventory. In the first half of 2021, such vehicles comprised about 6.9% of the used-car market. By the same period in 2022, the share had risen to around 15.1%. Analysts attribute this to a broader increase in the presence of Chinese brands in the new-car market, which translates into more nearly-new options entering the secondary market as well.
In this context, buyers could consider the practical advantages and potential drawbacks of opting for a relatively fresh Chinese model versus a higher-mileage vehicle with a lower price. The data indicate that while Chinese brands continued to gain traction, buyers weighed factors such as warranty terms, maintenance costs, and local service availability when making purchasing decisions. The market dynamic suggested a growing confidence in Chinese automakers, accompanied by a corresponding diversification of choices for consumers seeking good value and modern features.
A visual reference: Depositphotos