Spring discounts on 2024 model cars may appear closer to the season, according to automotive expert Egor Vasiliev who spoke with the Prime agency. He notes that manufacturers and dealers have reasons to adjust pricing as supply chains stabilize and demand returns after a period of inflationary pressure.
“The absence of a price rise under current conditions is already a form of discount because inflation has not vanished. Money is cheaper and even if a buyer pays last year’s price, the buyer wins and the seller loses margin,” he states.
In his view, a dealer’s willingness to clear older stock at his own expense depends on the dealer’s financial strength, cash flow, and the ability to absorb short term losses while balancing next year’s model introductions.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Russia sold more than 1.8 million vehicles during 2024, including cars, trucks and buses, which is 39 percent higher than in 2023.
The breakdown shows 1.55 million passenger cars were sold in Russia during the year, a rise of 47 percent compared to 2023. Light commercial vehicles delivered 140.29 thousand units, up 34 percent. The truck segment declined to 121.56 thousand vehicles, down 13 percent from the previous year. Bus sales climbed 13 percent to 20.57 thousand units.
In 2023, 1.32 million new cars were sold in Russia.
Earlier market forecasts had warned that the Russian automobile market could shrink by about 20 percent, signaling a potential downturn amid broader economic pressures.
For readers in Canada and the United States, these figures highlight how price stability, incentives, and inventory dynamics can influence consumer buying power. In North America, buyers often watch for financing offers, trade-in values, and seasonal promotions as they decide when to purchase a vehicle.
Across the 2024 calendar, some vehicle segments remained resilient despite macroeconomic uncertainty, while total demand reflected sensitivity to pricing and financing conditions. The data underscore the importance for shoppers to compare model years, check dealer incentives, and plan purchases around seasonal pricing cycles familiar in North American markets as well.
Ultimately, the Russian market narrative mirrors a universal pattern: consumers respond to even modest shifts in price and availability, while dealers balance margins with the need to move inventory. The spring period often brings new incentive structures that can shape the pace of sales in the months ahead, including for buyers in North America observing similar cycles on their home soil.