In recent times, Russian state agencies have increasingly turned to Chinese automotive brands to refresh their fleets. The shift has been noted by automotive outlets such as Portal Motor.ru, which highlighted how government and public services began filling their garages with models from Chinese manufacturers. This movement signals a broader strategy to diversify procurement sources and access competitive pricing, while expanding the range of available vehicles for various official duties.
Initial signs appeared in the garages of the State Traffic Inspectorate, where vehicles from the Haval lineup were introduced. These included the F7, assembled domestically in Russia, a move that underscored a push toward domestically produced components within Chinese-branded platforms. Shortly thereafter, high-level procurement followed: the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs acquired SUVs from the same brand family, notably the H9, indicating a preference for capable, versatile SUVs suitable for official tasks and field operations. Employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations also leaned toward Haval models, selecting the Dargo X and Jolion as part of the agency’s mobility upgrade program.
Among the most frequently chosen models across state services is the Tank 500, a mid-size SUV that has replaced traditional stalwarts like the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 in several fleets. This model has become a staple for security and emergency services, including the Federal Security Service, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and emergency management agencies. The same publication notes that the Federal Security Service also added the PHEV version of the Voyah Dream minivan to its fleet, highlighting a growing interest in plug-in hybrids and electrified options among government fleets. In another development, the Cheboksary City Hall reported purchasing four Evolute i-Pro electric vans, reflecting a parallel trend toward electrification at local government levels.
Additional brand activity involved a Chery Arrizo 8 appearing in the fleets of the Russian Guard and the Ministry of Emergencies, while a Hongqi H9 was reported in the General Staff’s inventory. The FSB expanded its lineup with Exeed VX, and the FSO added the GAC GS8 to its fleet. In healthcare and disaster response, the NI Pirogov National Medical and Surgical Center—part of the All-Russian Service for Disaster Medicine—opted for the GAC GN8来, signaling a commitment to modern, multi-passenger and utility-oriented vehicles in critical response roles.
Earlier, Hongqi announced the sale of the HS3 crossover in Russia, priced between four and four and a half million rubles. The model was introduced at a Moscow press event and became available in two trim levels, offering either a 1.5-liter engine with 156 horsepower and a seven-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission with front-wheel drive, or a 2.0-liter engine with 245 horsepower, an eight-speed automatic, and all-wheel drive. The approach illustrates how Chinese brands are calibrating their offerings to meet varied Russian consumer and institutional needs, from compact crossovers to robust family SUVs.
There are broader implications to this movement beyond mere model availability. Western media have occasionally noted that some Chinese-branded products in the Russian market rely on components sourced from other regions, including South Korea, a reminder that modern vehicle supply chains are highly interconnected. Industry observers point out that state procurement choices can influence local manufacturing strategies, regional partnerships, and the speed at which new technology—such as electrification and advanced driver-assistance systems—trickles down to official fleets and, eventually, the wider market. The ongoing dialogue around China-Russia automotive collaboration continues to unfold in real time, shaped by sanctions, trade policies, and the evolving needs of public service agencies across Russia.