Vladivostok customs authorities have released figures showing that more than 78,000 foreign cars have entered Russia through the Vladivostok border since the start of the year. The volume marks an increase of about one third compared with the same period last year, signaling a notable shift in import activity that reflects evolving demand and trade patterns. This surge highlights how regional routes continue to play a critical role in vehicle circulation, with Vladivostok acting as a key gateway for a broad array of models from abroad.
During the first seven months of 2022, officials tracked 78,460 cars brought in by private buyers through Vladivostok. The data illustrate a substantial year‑over‑year rise, underscoring sustained buyer interest in imported vehicles despite broader market fluctuations. When compared with the corresponding period a year earlier, the growth rate reached roughly 33 percent, illustrating a strong acceleration in private car imports through this corridor. July emerged as the peak month for inbound vehicles, with more than 15,000 cars recorded for importation. By contrast, the busiest month in 2021 had been April, when about 10,000 cars were imported. On a daily basis, the region averages roughly 600 cars entering the market through Vladivostok, reflecting steady operational throughput across the month-to-month timetable.
Officials noted that the bulk of these imported cars originate from Japan, with smaller shares tracing back to Korea and China. This reflects established supply chains in Northeast Asia and the continued reliance on well-known sources for used and new vehicles alike. The emphasis on Japanese imports aligns with longstanding patterns in the region, where many buyers prefer the compact efficiency and reliability typical of Japanese brands, while Korean and Chinese offerings contribute additional variety and competitive pricing.
In a related sector assessment, the Association of European Businesses Automobile Manufacturers Committee reported a sharp decline in Russia’s new-car sales for July 2022. Sales fell by 74.9 percent compared with the prior year, totaling around 32,400 vehicles for the month. This contrast between rising private imports of foreign cars and the steep drop in new-car registrations signals a bifurcated market dynamic: strong demand for external, potentially used, arrivals alongside a contracting domestic new-car market. The juxtaposition points to broader macroeconomic influences, including currency movements, consumer confidence, and policy or tax factors that shape purchasing behavior. Taken together, the latest figures sketch a nuanced picture of Russia’s automotive landscape, where import activity and domestic sales move in divergent directions amid evolving regional trade flows and market conditions.