Car imports to Russia

The main articles are:

• Automotive market of Russia
• Car production in Russia
• Russia's Foreign Trade

2023

Imports of new and used cars to Russia through Vladivostok increased 1.5 times over the year

Imports of cars to Russia through Vladivostok in 2023 increased 1.5 times compared to 2022 and reached 226 thousand units. We are talking about the design of new and used vehicles of individuals for personal use. The press service of the Vladivostok customs announced this on January 31, 2024. Read more here.

Decline in car exports from Japan to Russia by 3.7% to 212 thousand units

In 2023, the export of passenger cars from Japan to Russia amounted to 212 thousand units, down 3.7%. The annual drop was the second in a row. This is evidenced by the data of the Japanese Ministry of Finance, which were released in January 2024.

According to TASS, citing materials from the department, the supply of Japanese spare parts and components to Russia in 2023 decreased by 48.4% compared to 2022. Truck and bus exports fell 42.7%.

The news agency notes that the reduction in the supply of cars and spare parts in the second half of the year continued against the background of the sanctions that entered into force on August 9, 2023. Tokyo has banned the import of gasoline and diesel cars with an engine capacity of more than 1.9 liters, as well as hybrid cars, into Russia. This decision was made by the Japanese authorities at the end of July after the introduction of the 11th package of EU sanctions against Russia. The restrictions apply to both new and used cars.

According to Hironori Fushita, an associate professor at the University of International Studies in Kobe, an employee of the Japan Institute of International Problems, Russia was the largest foreign market for the Japanese used car business, and the current measures will inevitably have a serious impact on it.

Used cars, which can no longer be exported to Russia, will partially flood into the Japanese market, which has already led to falling prices and a reduction in the income of used car dealers, the expert states.

The introduced ban seriously hit Japanese business, notes. Reuters The agency's interlocutors note that one of the export companies in Toyama supplied more than 6.5 thousand cars to the Russian Federation every month before the ban. Now the business has decreased by 70%, we had to lay off employees. A used foreign car dealer in Niigata Prefecture faced a drop in Russia's share in its business from 50% to 20%. The number of used cars on offer in the country grew by more than 20% in August compared to the previous year, and average prices fell by 7%, according to data from the automobile auction house USS.^[1]

In Russia, 19 new Chinese auto brands appeared per year. List

In 2023, 19 new Chinese car brands appeared in Russia. The list of relevant brands in the Association "Russian Automobile Dealers" (ROAD) presented in mid-January 2024.

• Jaecoo;
• Jetour;
• Baic;
• Kaiyi;
• Voyah;
• Livan;
• Ora;
• Forthing;
• Skywell;
• SWM;
• Honqgi;
• Dongfeng;
• Li Xiang;
• Haima;
• Jetta;
• Wey;
• Aito;
• Rising;
• Venucia.

According to RIA Novosti"" with reference to ROAD materials, taking into account the mentioned manufacturers in Russia, at the beginning of 2024 there are 29 automobile brands out of. China They also include,, Chery,, Geely,, Omoda,,, and FAW Changan. Haval JAC Exeed Tank GAC

However, if we take into account cars of brands that are supplied unofficially (the company does not have a representative office in the Russian Federation), then the number of Chinese brands in the Russian Federation is at least twice as much, added to the association "Russian Automobile Dealers"

Earlier, Авто.ру analysts came to similar conclusions by analyzing the database of classifieds for the year. According to their calculations, the total number of stamps from the PRC now presented in our country exceeds 50, having increased by more than 30 positions over the year. The three most popular brands on the Russian market in 2023 are Lada, Haval and Chery.

By the beginning of 2024, Chinese automakers continue to massively enter the Russian market and expand their presence here, opening car dealerships, forming dealer networks and service centers.

Chinese automakers intend to occupy 80% of the Russian market in 2024, selling about 1.2 million new cars in total. showed a survey conducted by the project "Automarketologist." The results of the study were published at the end of December 2023. The Chery brand wants to increase sales the most, followed by Changan and Haval.^[2]

Growth in exports of used cars from Chinese Suifenhe

In March 2023, through the experimental SEZ Suifenhe, the export of used cars from China to Russia is gaining momentum.

Russia is the largest importer of cars from China at the beginning of the year

8% of new cars sold in February were imported according to the parallel import scheme

About 4.6 thousand new cars sold in Russia in February were imported under the parallel import scheme, their share in sales of all new vehicles exceeded 8%.

Iran Khodro car deliveries start

In January 2023, Iran Khodro Industrial Group CEO Mehdi Khatibi announced the start of deliveries of Iranian cars to Russia.

2022

Imports from China increased by a third to 162 thousand cars

Imports of passenger cars from China to Russia in 2022 increased by 33.4% compared to 2021 and reached 162 thousand cars. This was announced in early April 2023 by the PRC in the Russian Federation Zhang Hanhui.

Together with an unprecedented increase in export volumes, the share of "Chinese" in the Russian market has also grown. If in 2021 they accounted for only seven percent of sales, then in 2022 - already 19.2%, he said in a conversation with Izvestia.

Trade and economic cooperation between China and Russia is steadily moving forward... Cooperation in such areas as cars, household appliances, consumer electronics has achieved rapid development, - said the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China.

Russian experts also speak of the rapid growth in the number of Chinese cars: for example, Avtodom Group of Companies and the National Automobile Union do not exclude that they can occupy 60 percent of the market.

According to the Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation, the import of cars from the PRC in 2022 increased by 40% compared to 2021. In total, 117 thousand cars were imported to Russia in 2022, 31 thousand of which were trucks. Thus, imports of trucks almost quadrupled over the year.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in 2022, the volume of imports on the Russian automotive market showed an increase compared to 2021 and amounted to about 443 thousand cars. Vice-President of the National Automobile Union Anton Shaparin told Izvestia that previously the lion's share of cars was imported by legal entities - official distributors of foreign car brands. "Physicists" carried tens of thousands of cars, according to the expert.

In 2021, according to the FCS, 338.9 thousand cars were imported into our country. Thus, in 2022, this figure increased by 30.7% compared to the previous^[3]

3479 new electric vehicles imported

At the end of 2022, 3479 new electric vehicles were imported into the Russian Federation, which is 24% more than in 2021. More than half (53%) of all imports of new electric cars fell on Tesla and Volkswagen products (1127 and 719 units, respectively).

Deliveries of Japanese used cars to Russia for the year increased by 32%

In 2022, deliveries of used cars from Japan to Russia reached 213.5 thousand units, which is 32% more than a year earlier. Such data on February 13, 2023 was provided by an official representative of the Japanese Association of Used Car Exporters (JUMVEA). SUVs such as the Toyota Land Cruiser are in greatest demand, he said.

"It is difficult for us to answer the question about the reasons for the growth of demand in Russia for Japanese used cars. It is possible that this is due to their generally good technical condition and low mileage, "JUMVEA told TASS.

The total volume of Japanese exports to Russia in 2022 decreased by 30%, including due to the cessation of deliveries of new cars. Part of this part of the export was replaced by used machines.

In Japan itself, there are problems with the assembly of new cars, which is associated with a shortage of semiconductors. Because of this, the supply of new cars to the country's domestic market comes with a big delay. It has also led to a rise in price tags for Japanese used cars, which hit an all-time high in 2022. According to Nikkei, the average check for used cars in the country in 2022 increased by 21%. Problems with the supply of new cars also led to a 6% reduction in supply among used cars.

Korean Hyundai and Kia cars are also supplied to Russia through the Far East. Previously, the jump in the popularity of Japanese cars was associated with changes in the exchange rate of the national currency.

According to the analytical agency Avtostat, the volume of the secondary car market in 2022 amounted to 4 million 864.7 thousand passenger cars - 18.8% lower than a year ago. At the same time, the Japanese Toyota retains unconditional leadership among foreign cars, the result of which was 542.2 thousand units (-17.3%).^[4]

China became the largest importer of passenger cars to Russia

China became the largest importer of passenger cars to Russia in 2022. During this period, 117 thousand cars were delivered from the PRC, which is 40% more than a year earlier. This is evidenced by the data of the Federal Customs Service (FCS), which were disclosed at the end of January 2023.

Imports of trucks from China from the Russian Federation in 2022 amounted to almost 31 thousand units. For the year, the indicator soared four times compared to the previous one. Also, the PRC imported two thousand buses and minibuses into the country (an increase of 68%). Imports of special-purpose cars have tripled - emergency and fire engines, car cranes, concrete mixers, road cleaning cars, watering cars, car repair shops, cars with X-ray machines and others. Over the 2022 year, deliveries of such vehicles have grown 3 times.

Despite the fact that China has become the largest importer of cars to Russia, manufacturers from the Middle Kingdom took only the third place in terms of car sales in the Russian Federation. In the first place are Russian companies (share - 30%), in the second - South Korean (19.5%).

According to the Chinese Customs Administration, the total volume of trade between Russia and the PRC at the end of 2022 rose by 29.3%, to a record $190.271 billion.

At the end of December 2022, representatives of the Russian Automobile Dealers Association wrote an open letter to car dealerships of Chinese brands, in which they said that in the coming years the lineup of brands from China could absorb the domestic automotive market. According to experts, due to the slow development of the Russian auto industry and the increase in the production capacity of Chinese enterprises, the share of sales of cars from China in the Russian Federation may reach. ROAD noted that the capacity of the Chinese auto industry allows the production of more than 20 million vehicles annually.^[5]

The growth of truck imports from China is 4 times, special equipment - three times, buses - by 68%

China Russia According to the results of 2022, the import of trucks from to increased 4 times compared to the previous year and reached almost 31 thousand units, - the Russian Federation FCS.

In addition, at the end of 2022, 2 thousand buses and minibuses were imported into Russia from China (an increase of 68%) and almost 3 thousand units of special-purpose cars (emergency and fire engines, car cranes, concrete mixers, cars for cleaning roads, watering cars, car repair shops, cars with X-ray machines, etc.) - the figure increased over the year 3 times.

Import of cars through Vladivostok customs increased by 72%

The import of cars through the Vladivostok customs in 2022 increased by 72% and exceeded 197 thousand cars. This was announced on January 23, 2023 by the press service of the Far Eastern Customs Administration. Read more here.

Thanks to parallel imports in Russia, 500 models of cars of 85 brands can be purchased

Thanks to parallel imports on the Russian market, 500 models of cars of 85 brands can be purchased. At the same time, only 68 models of cars of 17 brands are officially presented in the Russian Federation - Autostat.

Increase in the import of cars through Vladivostok by 66% to 170 thousand in 11 months

The import of cars through Vladivostok in 2022 demonstrates an increase of 66% in 11 months, more than 170 thousand cars.

Growth in car imports from China by 31% to $3.61 billion in 10 months

The total volume of car imports from China in January - October 2022 amounted to $3.61 billion, which is 31% more than in the same period of the previous year, and already more than in the entire 2021 ($3.45 billion). In 2019, imports were $1.7 billion, and in 2020 - $1.6 billion.

In the structure of automobile imports for 10 months of 2022, cars prevail ($1.08 billion). Next come trucks ($1.06 billion), cranes and other special vehicles ($250 million) and buses ($970 million), and spare parts and components account for another $1.12 billion.

For 11 months of 2022, 106 thousand Chinese cars were imported, which is almost 50% more than last year. In addition to cars, special equipment was imported - 142 thousand different special cars, which is also almost plus 50% compared to last year, - the head of the FCS.

Imports of cars from the EU decreased by 73% in 10 months to 679 million euros

Exports from the European Union to Russia of cars intended for the transportation of people in January-October 2022 amounted to 679.2 million euros against 2.52 billion euros a year earlier (-73%). Eurostat

A sharp increase in imports of used cars

From January to September 2022, 143 thousand used cars were brought to Russia, which is about 1.5 times more than in the entire last year (94 thousand) - FCS.

Sales of imported new cars returned to growth: + 51% to 28.8 thousand units in September

In September 2022, the market for new imported cars in the Russian Federation returned to growth again after from July to August it showed a drop in sales indicators from 25,445 to 19,131 units. From August to September, the sale of such machines rose by 51% from 19,131 to 28,860 copies.

In August, 10,257 cars were imported, of which 67.2% were Chinese

In total, in August 2022 Russia , 10,257 cars were imported into, of which the share the Chinese of cars is 67.2%. In 2nd place (South Korea 8.7%), in 3rd (3.9 Kazakhstan %). 3.6% of Japan the cars were imported, out of 1.1%. USA

Take-off of Chinese truck imports

In the first 7 months of 2022, 8,745 new trucks of Chinese brands were sold in Russia, which is 2.2 times more than in the same period last year. At the same time, the entire truck market during this period decreased by 21%. For 7 months, Chinese models accounted for 20% of the Russian market, a year ago - 7%. Over 90% of all trucks from the PRC account for four brands: Shacman/Shaanxi (3800 units), Howo (1909 units), JAC (1301 units) and FAW (1121 units).

Imports of used cars from Japan increased 3 times due to the strengthening of the ruble and the fall of the yen

Against the background of the fall in the Japanese yen and the strengthening of the ruble in Russia, the demand for used cars from Japan with a right steering wheel soared. Japanese companies that make huge profits are not even afraid of the sanctions imposed on Moscow. Imports of used cars from Japan by the beginning of August 2022 increased by at least 3 times since May.

Sharp decline in imports due to EU sanctions amid conflict in Ukraine

2021: The rise of imports of passenger cars in the 1st quarter by 47% to 76.9 thousand units

In January-March 2021, the physical volumes of imports of passenger cars in the Russian Federation jumped by 47.3% compared to the same period in 2020 - up to 76.9 thousand units. Truck imports in January-March jumped 36.7% to 6.7 thousand units by $461.7 million (+ 69.1% by value compared to January-March 2020)

2020

Decrease in car imports in Russia by 20%, to 243.2 thousand cars

Imports of passenger cars in Russia in 2020, according to the FCS, decreased by 19.7% compared to 2019 and amounted to 243.2 thousand cars.

In money, the volume of imports of passenger vehicles into Russia at the end of 2020 decreased to $5.4 billion (a decline of 31.4% year/year).

Imports of trucks in 2020 fell by 19.4% to 24.1 thousand cars with a total value of $1.2 billion.

The volume of exports of passenger cars from Russia in 2020 decreased by 41.2% and amounted to 65 thousand units for a total of $986.9 million. As for trucks, the annual export volume decreased by 17.7% and amounted to 12.2 thousand units with a total value of $324 million.

Import statistics take into account both new and used cars. Export figures only take into account new vehicles.

Such a large difference between the volume of imports and exports of cars in monetary terms is explained by the fact that the best-selling models of the mass segment are mostly assembled in Russia. So, in the top 25 bestsellers of the Russian market there is not a single car that is transported from abroad.

At the same time, in the premium segment, almost all models are produced abroad - the exception is some cars of brands BMW and, Genesis which are assembled in Kaliningrad, "" as Avtotor well as, Mercedes-Benz which has a factory in. Exports Moscow area Russia budget models, for example, "" and, and the AvtoVAZ UAZ volume of supplies is not comparable to the volume of foreign cars imported into the country.

According to experts, 2020 was a serious test for the Russian automotive industry, but dealers did without major bankruptcies and mass withdrawal from the market, although the profitability of the business again suffered.

The import and export of cars in 2020 was affected by the measures taken against the backdrop of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic: many car factories temporarily suspended work, respectively, and supplies stopped.^[6]

Reduction in car imports for 9 months by 41% to $3.429 billion

For 9 months, cars were imported into the Russian Federation for $3.429 billion, which is 41.7% less than a year earlier.

Decrease in car imports for 8 months by 1.8 times in money

Imports of passenger cars to Russia in January-August 2020 decreased by 1.5 times compared to the same period last year - up to 129.7 thousand units - FCS.

In monetary terms, the volume of imports of passenger cars over the same period decreased 1.8 times - to $2.934 billion.

2019: Auto import growth

Notes