The used car market in Russia continues to be led by imports from Japan and Germany, a trend confirmed by Alexey Mukhanov, who heads the research and customer analytics group at Avto.ru. The data shows that Japanese models currently hold about a quarter of sales, while German cars account for a little more than one-fifth, with domestic brands making up roughly one-fifth as well. This allocation highlights a strong preference among buyers for established engineering and familiar configurations, even as the market evolves in response to local demand and broader economic shifts.
Looking forward, the picture suggests gradual change over the next two to three years. Analysts expect to see more Chinese-brand vehicles entering the Russian used-car space, a trend already starting to materialize with a 3.5% share observed in recent purchases. This shift reflects broader dynamics in the global automotive market, where Chinese manufacturers have been expanding their footprint and offering competitive pricing, features, and warranties that resonate with price-conscious buyers.
When it comes to price segments, the most active portion of the market remains the mid-range category, with vehicles priced between 800 thousand and 1.5 million rubles capturing about one-fifth of transactions. The competitive landscape within this band includes popular models from Hyundai, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Kia, and Volkswagen, which together dominated the top five lists at the close of 2023. Buyers in this segment typically seek a balance of reliability, maintenance costs, fuel efficiency, and available after-sales support, all of which influence resale value and total ownership costs.
Financing activity has also shown notable momentum. Reports indicate that in February, Russians arranged about 101 thousand auto loans, marking the highest monthly total in the past five years. This financing surge suggests that buyers are maintaining confidence in vehicle ownership despite economic headwinds and currency fluctuations, leveraging loan products to expand purchasing power and diversify their choices within the used-car market.
Previously compiled profiles of the typical Chinese car buyer in Russia highlighted a growing openness to non-traditional brands, a trend that aligns with the current trajectory toward a more diversified import mix in the secondary market. Analysts emphasize that this diversification helps broaden consumer options, possibly altering long-standing preferences and stimulating competitive pricing across brands. [Citation: Avto.ru insights on market composition and buyer behavior]