Across the year, 522 new car dealers specializing in Chinese-made vehicles opened operations in Russia, bringing the total to 1114 dealers. This marks a 52% increase from the previous year, even as 143 dealerships exited the market for various reasons. The expansion highlights a steady push by Chinese brands to establish a stronger retail footprint in Russia, reflecting broader shifts in consumer interest and regional auto distribution strategies.
Among the brands, Omoda led growth with 119 new dealerships, followed by Exeed, a brand owned by Chery, which added 58 outlets. Chery itself opened 57 brand centers during the period, underscoring the group’s aggressive expansion in the Russian market. Other notable movers include Geely with 45 new dealers, FAW with 34, and both Changan and JAC delivering 20 additional sites each. The dealer networks for Dongfeng and Haval also expanded, adding 19 and 11 dealerships respectively, illustrating a broad sweep across multiple Chinese manufacturers.
New entrants to the market have continued to establish their own distribution networks as well. Currently, Skywell operates 19 car dealerships, Voyah runs 18 locations, and Tank maintains 11 outlets in Russia. In mid-March, Kaiyi opened its first car dealership, with vehicles produced at the Avtotor Kaliningrad plant, signaling a new phase of localized manufacturing collaboration alongside retail expansion.
Industry observers note that the strongest growth in Chinese-brand dealer networks is likely to occur in the regions, where markets are often more receptive to new models and where competition among brands can be intense. This provincial expansion is seen as a key driver for improving accessibility and service coverage for buyers who are considering Chinese makes alongside traditional brands.
Market dynamics indicate a trend where Russian consumers are increasingly exploring fresh European-sourced models alongside an expanding lineup from Chinese automakers. The shift reflects evolving preferences and the growing availability of price-competitive, feature-rich crossovers and sedans from Chinese brands, contributing to a broader mix of choices for buyers across the country.
- Driving trends and brand stories can often be gleaned from video content and consumer reviews on platforms such as YouTube, where new dealer openings and product showcases attract attention.
In summary, the past year has seen a notable acceleration in the expansion of Chinese car dealerships across Russia, with a larger network and more diverse brand representation than before. This uptick suggests a durable push by Chinese manufacturers to capture a greater share of the market while increasing accessibility for customers seeking modern features and value in the rapidly evolving automotive landscape.