Russia Tightens Auto Market as Global Brands Halt Shipments; Local Alternatives Emerge
Oleg Amirov, head of the Union of Auto Experts and Taxers, notes that many showrooms across Russia are now short on stock. Cars from a wide range of American and European brands are no longer arriving at dealers, leaving shelves mostly empty for new models.
The reality is clear: finding fresh units from brands such as Chevrolet, Cadillac, Jeep, Tesla, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Porsche, BMW, Citroen, Renault, Peugeot, or Nissan is becoming exceptionally difficult because their manufacturers have suspended deliveries and scaled back Russian production.
Yet such vehicles are not destined to vanish entirely from the market. An unofficial parallel market persists, with some imports slipping into the country but not appearing in official sales statistics. At the moment, brands like Toyota and several Korean automakers continue to export cars to Russia, according to the expert. The risk remains that these shipments could also be halted in the future. Meanwhile, there is a noticeable rise in demand for Chinese-made vehicles as an alternative, Amirov adds.
Requires 7,000 tires in popular sizes
Without a secure supply chain, essential public services face strain. Reliable transport is a cornerstone of public safety and health in any dense urban area.
In collaboration with the Popular Front, the charity initiative
“Behind the Wheel” has begun collecting funds to supply tires for vehicles used by the People’s Police and the operational services of the LPR and DPR, as well as ambulances, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, humanitarian aid transport, and military equipment. Contributions can be made through the collection page, with details provided on the fundraising platform.
Source: AIF