Decline in sales of foreign cars in Russia
Sales of foreign-made cars in Russia fell by 40% in 2025. This significant reduction is related to the rising costs of cars, a strict monetary policy, and reduced availability of auto loans. In total, sales of foreign cars decreased by more than 500 thousand units, indicating a decline in interest among Russians in foreign brands.
In 2025, about 800 thousand domestically produced cars were sold in Russia, which did not undergo such significant dynamics as the sales of foreign models. Konstantin Krokhmal notes that Russians have practically stopped buying foreign cars; however, this has not reflected in the sales of Russian cars.
New production strategy
Against the backdrop of declining sales of foreign cars, the company 'Nizhny Novgorod Passenger Cars' received compliance declarations for three new models: the Volga C50 sedan, and K40 and K50 crossovers. All these models will be based on Chinese Geely cars, which may indicate a change in the production strategy in the context of decreasing demand for foreign cars.
The situation in the Russian car market reflects global economic trends, particularly the impact of changes in the exchange rate and monetary policy on consumer demand. The decline in sales of foreign cars may lead to further adaptation of manufacturers to new conditions, especially through cooperation with Chinese companies, which opens new opportunities for expanding the range of domestic cars. It may also indicate attempts to reduce dependence on imported brands and establish local production.