In Moscow, the president has directed the government to deliver by April 15 a report outlining steps to widen the availability of cars for Russian citizens. The instruction is documented on the Kremlin’s official site and signals a focus on easing access to personal transportation across the country.
According to the published directive, authorities should set a clear target that measures an increase in car accessibility for residents of the Russian Federation in 2023, with quarterly calculations comparing progress to 2022. This approach aims to produce tangible, regularly updated metrics that reflect how availability shifts over time, providing a concrete benchmark for policy evaluation and budgeting. The guidance emphasizes quarterly reporting to maintain transparency and accountability for the policy’s impact. (Attribution: Kremlin publication)
Another element of the document is a commitment to monitor car prices closely, ensuring that any adjustments remain reasonable and do not erode consumer purchasing power. By maintaining vigilance on pricing, the government seeks to balance supply expansion with price stability, a key concern for households and small businesses alike. (Attribution: Kremlin publication)
Beyond the April 15 deadline, the report notes that government ministers will convene on a regular three-month cadence to review progress and update the stance as needed. This cadence means continuous oversight, with adjustments as market conditions and manufacturing outputs evolve. (Attribution: Kremlin publication)
Looking back to late last year, data show a pronounced slowdown in new car sales across Russia. In November, purchases of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles reached 46.4 thousand units, marking a 61.6% decrease versus the same month in 2021. AvtoVAZ, the longtime market leader in Russia, sold 21.7 thousand vehicles in November, a year-over-year drop of about 18%. These figures illustrate the preexisting challenges facing the auto sector, including supply constraints, financing viability, and consumer demand fluctuations. (Attribution: market statistics)