Russia saw a notable shift in vehicle imports in September as the market balanced between new and used cars. New passenger car imports from abroad reached 80.8 thousand units in the autumn’s first month, marking the strongest monthly result in three years. The previous high was 80.3 thousand units, recorded in July. During this period, China supplied the vast majority of Russia’s new car inflow, accounting for about 86.1 percent of all new passenger vehicles coming into the country.
In contrast, imports of second-hand passenger cars in September dropped to 17.2 thousand units, the lowest monthly figure of the year. This figure is roughly one-third of the July level, when imports stood at 51.3 thousand, and about half the August level of 32 thousand. Industry observers point to several factors behind the retreat, including higher recycling taxes and a ban in Japan on supplying used cars with engines larger than 1.9 liters, along with restrictions on electric and hybrid models from certain imports. Despite these constraints, Japan remained the leading supplier of used cars to Russia, holding a 51.3 percent share in September.
The broader trend raises questions about how many Chinese automakers operate in Russia and what this means for future market dynamics. Analysts note that the strong performance of new car imports, driven largely by Chinese models, could shape pricing, availability, and consumer choice in the months ahead, even as demand for used cars continues to respond to tax policy and regulatory shifts. market analysts emphasize the evolving balance between domestic support measures and international supply chains, which together influence both affordability and variety for Russian buyers. (Avtostat)