Russia's Used Car Imports from China Soared 406%
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- Issue Time
- Aug 21,2025
Summary
In recent years, Russia's used car import market has shown three stable trends: continued growth in total volume
In recent years, Russia's used car import market has shown three stable trends: continued growth in total volume, left-hand drive vehicles significantly squeezing out right-hand drive vehicles, and an accelerated restructuring of the supplier structure...
According to the latest analysis released by Russian automotive market research organization Autostat, Russia's used car import market has shown three stable trends in recent years: continued growth in total volume, left-hand drive vehicles significantly squeezing out right-hand drive vehicles, and an accelerated restructuring of the supplier structure.
1. Import Volume Increases for Four Consecutive Years
Russia's used car imports have increased for the fourth consecutive year: +91% year-on-year in 2022, +49% in 2023, and another +2% in 2024. In the first seven months of 2025, a total of 229,000 vehicles were imported, a 7% year-on-year increase.
2. The Rise of Left-Hand Drive, the Decline of Right-Hand Drive
In 2022, right-hand drive vehicles accounted for 88% of imported used cars; as of now, this has fallen to 51%. In 2025, right-hand drive imports are expected to decrease by 10% year-on-year, while left-hand drive imports are expected to increase by 33%.
3. Restructuring of the Supplying Country Landscape
Japan remains the largest supplier, but its lead is narrowing: imports from January to July 2025 reached 112,000 units. South Korea and China saw a surge in imports: South Korea increased by 94% to 51,000 units; China increased by 406% to 30,000 units. Belarus and Kyrgyzstan saw significant declines (-77% and -78%, respectively). Georgia has become an important transit channel (+244%), but its scale remains small (16,000 units, far less than Japan).
These changes directly reflect the changing preferences of Russian consumers and the restructuring of cross-border trade.
The share of right-hand drive vehicles has fallen to 51%, while left-hand drive imports have seen strong growth, creating a smoother acceptance environment for Chinese left-hand drive vehicles (both new and nearly new and used) entering the Far East and Siberia. The decline of right-hand drive vehicles is not a sudden event, but rather a structural shift driven by policies, supply chains, and consumer preferences. For Chinese manufacturers and traders, the increasing acceptance of left-hand drive vehicles in Russia and the rapid growth of vehicle imports from China and South Korea represent key milestones to seize this year and next. Those who can achieve the "simultaneous best" in price, compliance, and delivery speed will be able to leverage the incremental market for new and nearly new vehicles, given Russia's high used vehicle base.
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