Yandex is actively negotiating with Russian and Chinese automakers to provide vehicles for the rental fleets that Yandex Taxi works with. The talks extend to Avtovaz in Russia and to Chinese groups BAIC Group and Chery. The company already collaborates with Geely, Chery, and Haval as part of its broader vehicle ecosystem.
In a letter addressed to Avtovaz President Maxim Sokolov, Yandex Taxi Business Development Director Ivan Zapolsky highlighted a growing challenge faced by taxi fleets in Russia: a shortage of cars and spare parts. The message underscored the need for reliable supply chains to keep fleets operational and capable of meeting rising demand.
At present, Yandex Taxi and its taxi fleet partners do not report an immediate lack of vehicles. However, the company is pursuing discussions with both Russian and Chinese automakers to secure maintenance capabilities and to enable growth over the coming years. Forbes notes that Yandex Taxi expresses ongoing interest in replenishing its service with tens of thousands of new cars on an annual basis, signaling a long term growth trajectory rather than a short term fix.
The last couple of years have seen the Russian car market face persistent supply disruptions. The pandemic strained global logistics, components remained in short supply, and early 2022 saw some brands pause production. These factors created real hurdles for fleets attempting to refresh and scale their operations. Even so, there has not been a shortage of taxi transport itself. Fleet retirement tends to be a gradual process, which keeps a continuous, if evolving, demand for new vehicles. In this environment, establishing new partnerships and diversifying supply sources becomes essential to maintain steady renewal cycles and keep taxi services competitive. Local automakers have shown continued interest in the Russian market, Chinese manufacturers are gaining popularity, and a few brands from other regions have signaled future entry into Russia. Against this backdrop, Yandex is positioned as a potential facilitator and reliable partner for taxi operators, offering the prospect of long term, stable demand from manufacturers and a bridge to new sourcing opportunities. (Source: internal corporate communications and market analyses)
Yandex has already forged relationships with several Chinese automakers, including Geely, Chery, and Haval. In 2022, the Yandex Drive fleet received a notable replenishment: 200 new cars in July, followed by a further 400 by the end of August, signaling a strategic push to strengthen vehicle turnover and fleet reliability. This ramp up illustrates the company’s approach to balancing fleet uptime with expansion ambitions, ensuring that taxi partners can scale their services in step with demand. (Source: industry reports and company disclosures)