Chinese car sales in Russia have reached new highs, with the country becoming the top export market for Chinese automakers after Western brands withdrew due to sanctions. This surge in sales comes as Beijing faces higher tariffs on electric vehicle exports from the US and EU.
Chinese cars now dominate Russia’s market, capturing 57% of sales, up from 9% before the Ukraine invasion, while Western, Korean, and Japanese brands have plummeted from 69% to just 8.5%. The shift has been driven by affordability; Moscow buyers face a choice between Russian-made Ladas, expensive grey-import European models, or competitively priced Chinese cars.
In the first nine months of 2024, China exported nearly 850,000 vehicles to Russia, far surpassing its second-largest market, Mexico. This boom is credited with fueling China’s recent auto export growth, with Chinese brands like Chery, Great Wall Motor, and Geely becoming best-sellers.
Most Chinese cars sold in Russia are gas-powered, though electric vehicle sales are rising, with brands like Li Auto making inroads. The influx has also led many former Western car industry professionals in Russia to switch to Chinese companies.
Chinese exports to Russia skyrocketed to $1.8 billion in September 2024, a significant jump from $96 million in September 2021. While Western brands are still available through parallel imports, their steep prices have driven consumers towards more affordable Chinese alternatives. For instance, a Chinese Exeed VX SUV costs about $56,000, compared to a BMW X5 priced up to $203,000 in Russia.
Despite the growing presence, some Chinese automakers like Zeekr and Li Auto claim no official representation in Russia, attributing sales to independent parallel traders.
