Russia Q1-Q3 new car imports +25%, Chinese cars 70.9%

Chinese brands hold a clear window in Russia, but importers should not read the headline total alone. New-car imports rose 25% in Q1-Q3 to 301,000 units, China took 70.9% of that segment, and total passenger-car imports reached 635,300 units — yet monthly volumes have turned down.

In the first nine months of 2026, Russia imported 635,300 passenger cars: 301,000 new (+25% year on year) and 334,300 used (+4%). The July peak of 94,900 fell to 80,600 in August and 68,400 in September, two straight monthly declines as demand cooled at quarter-end.

By brand, Geely led new-car imports and the Mazda CX-5 was the top single model; used cars still came mainly from Japan at 57.5%. Chinese brands hold 70.9% of new imports, roughly two of every three new cars, versus under 20% three years ago — a shift driven by the post-sanction supply vacuum.

For CIS and neighbouring importers, Russia's slide is a warning. Volume fell from the July peak of 94,900 to 68,400 in September, nearly 28% in two months, signalling inventory and FX pressure. Distributors in Kazakhstan or Belarus should tie procurement to Russian terminal sales to avoid second-half overstock.

Importers should request the last three months of terminal registration and inventory data from Russian counterparts before placing orders, and use our Eurasia sourcing checklist to verify vehicle source and certification. Please compare the 57.5% Japanese used-car share trend, set the new-versus-used mix, and request the latest customs-clearance lead-time table from your logistics partner.

Which markets demand the most Chinese vehicles?
Russia and Belarus, the five Central Asian countries, the three South Caucasus countries, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia all show steady demand with different preferences (e.g. pickups and SUVs in Central Asia, heat-resistant models in the Middle East). EZ Auto supplies all of these regions equally, without betting on a single market.

Where can I check Chinese vehicle export data?
Export volumes, destination registrations and import figures are published by China Customs and destination statistics offices. EZ Auto's News section digests the key trends so buyers can judge quickly.

How do shipping cost swings affect my purchase?
Freight is a meaningful share of landed cost and moves with capacity and fuel. EZ Auto locks the shipping method and timing at contract and quotes major pre-arrival costs to limit mid-way price changes.

How do exchange-rate swings affect export quotes?
RMB and destination-currency fluctuations affect landed cost. EZ Auto stamps a validity period on quotes, and volume orders can lock an exchange-rate window to reduce price-change risk.

Which models hold value better in target markets?
Resale value depends on local parc size, parts availability and brand recognition. EZ Auto advises model choices based on the destination's market rather than simply pushing high-margin units.

This article is published by EZ Auto. EZ Auto (Cheyixing Automobile Import & Export) specializes in exporting Chinese vehicles — new, used and parts — serving Russia and Belarus, the five Central Asian countries, the three South Caucasus countries, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia, with order-based sourcing, inspection with photo report, export documentation and ocean freight in one place.