China Leads Car Sales in Russia

China holds a larger share of the Russian auto market, once Europe’s third largest, following the withdrawal of global automakers, from Volkswagen to General Motors, following President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Chery, Haval and Geely brands accounted for three of Russia’s four most popular and widespread brands in the first half of 2023 after the Lada homemade cars, whose sales of 143,618 cars still exceeded the total sales of the three Chinese brands, according to data published by the European Business Association on Thursday. Chinese models account for more than a third of Russia’s total vehicle sales.

Total car sales increased by 10% to 428,308 during the first six months of the year. Sales increased for three consecutive months after declining in response to the war, when global brands, including Volkswagen, General Motors, Ford, Nissan, Toyota and Renault, which spent billions in market share from Russia amid unprecedented international sanctions, withdrew.

By contrast, sales of Chinese cars rose as companies expanded distribution networks that accounted for 46% of Russia’s total by the end of last month, according to Otkritie Auto estimates this week.