Not all Chinese will remain: who may disappear from Russian roads

Despite the dominance of Chinese brands in the Russian market in 2023–2024, their share is already declining - from 61.9% to 51.4% per year.

Two years ago it seemed that Chinese cars had come to Russia forever—and for a long time. After the departure of the Western giants, the market was instantly filled with bright crossovers from Chery, Geely, Haval, BYD and dozens of other brands. At its peak in 2024, “purely Chinese” brands accounted for almost 62% of all new passenger car sales in the country. It seemed that the golden age of the Chinese automobile industry in Russia was just beginning. But the reality, as often happens, turned out to be more complicated.

In October 2025, the head of the Russian Automotive Association of Dealers (ROAD), Anton Podshchekoldin, made an alarming statement: some Chinese brands may gradually curtail their activities in Russia. Not because of sanctions, not because of politics - but because of simple economics: low sales, rising logistics costs, uncertainty with recycling fees and shrinking warehouse stocks make business unprofitable.

It is important to understand: we are not talking about Chery, Geely or Haval - these brands have long built in Russia not just dealer networks, but entire ecosystems: local assembly, service centers, loyalty programs and even their own credit products. Their positions are strong, and demand remains high even against the backdrop of a general market decline.

The threat looms over those who in the industry are called “silent players” - brands with minimal sales volumes, weak distribution and almost zero presence outside of large cities. These are companies that entered the market “on the wave”, without having time to create an infrastructure: without official representative offices, without spare parts in warehouses, without trained service engineers. Such brands do not have a shock absorber in case of a crisis - and in a falling market (based on the results of the first nine months of 2025, sales of new passenger cars continue to decline) they find themselves on the brink of profitability.

Podshchekoldin directly stated: “If we talk about who can leave, then we should pay attention to the brands whose sales are the least.” This is not a sentence, but a warning. Buyers who choose a little-known Chinese brand today risk tomorrow that there will no longer be official service in their region, and they will have to wait months for spare parts - or look for them on the “gray” market.

The reduction in the share of Chinese brands in itself - from 61.9% in September 2024 to 51.4% in September 2025 - already indicates market consolidation. It’s not just “Chinese” brands that win, but strong Chinese brands. Those who invest in Russia, and do not just import cars in containers.

Thus, the era of “everything Chinese is good” is coming to an end. The time of maturity is coming: the buyer becomes more demanding, the market becomes stricter, and competition becomes tougher. In these conditions, it is not the loudest that will survive, but the most reliable. And this, ultimately, will benefit everyone: dealers, drivers, and the automotive culture itself in Russia.

When choosing a car today, you should ask not only “how many horses are under the hood,” but also “will there be a service in your city in two years?” Because a car is not just metal and glass. This is long-term trust. And not every Chinese brand will be able to earn it.