The import of new cars to Russia decreased by 73%
Foreign automakers in February radically reduced the supply of new cars to Russia. The reasons are a drop in demand, overstocking of warehouses, where, according to various estimates, 400-500 thousand cars have accumulated, and grown up utilsbor. Deilers are already reporting discounts from the Chinese brands, which are thus trying to solve the problem of crowded effluents. Analysts expected to restore imports no earlier than the end of spring.
The import of new cars to Russia in February decreased by 73% by the year and 49% relative to January, to 16.2 thousand pieces, calculated in Avtostat. Below, the results were recorded only in September of the crisis for the 2022 auto industry: then the import amounted to 15.7 thousand cars.
“These are the expected results. At the end of last year, many companies revised their deliveries, realizing that the market would slow down. Nobody wants to “freeze” money, ”said Maxim Kadakov, editor -in -chief of the magazine behind the wheel. The negative dynamics of imports began to be fixed back in November last year, agencies testify. Analysts explain that automakers tried to bring as many cars as possible to the increase in utilsbor from October 1, 2024.
According to Avtostat, most often in February, Changan brand cars were imported, the most popular model was the Changan UNI-S crossover.
The China as a whole accounted for 80.9% of the supply. Also in the leaders Kyrgyzstan, Belarus and Kazakhstan. As explained by the Executive Director of Avtostat Sergey Udalov, these are countries through which supplies for parallel import are maintained: they account for 6.6%, 5.2% and 1.9% of import.
Of the 16.2 thousand new cars delivered in February, 4 thousand new cars were brought to the country in parallel imports, the agency general director Sergei Tselikov said. Mr. Udalov notes that the volume of official supplies is reduced, which is noticeable in reducing the share of the import of cars from China, while parallel imports against this background are growing. The main importers of new cars also include Korea (0.8%), Georgia (0.8%), Turkey (0.7%), Japan (0.7%).
The decline in supplies from abroad is also fixed in the segment of cars with mileage, although not so dramatic: 20%, up to 18.5 thousand, follows from the Avtostat data. The most commonly imported brand is Japanese Toyota, the model is Honda Freed.
Most often, used cars are brought from Japan: 53.4% of supplies. In second place is Korea, whose share is 20%. TOP-3 closes China: 9.6% in the structure of imports. Next are Georgia (7.5%), Belarus (3%), Germany (1.8%), the USA (0.8%) and the UAE (0.8%).
Sergei Udalov explains the negative dynamics of imports both in used and new cars in the absence of demand. Additional factors – increased utilsbor rates and overstocking, he adds. Market participants and analysts interviewed by Kommersant evaluate the drains from importers and dealers at the level of 400-500 thousand pieces. According to Andrei Kamensky, marketing director of AG “Avilon”, importer reserves are four to five months of sale, dealers-two to three months of sales. The excess of Chinese cars in warehouses became known in December (See “Kommersant” dated December 26, 2024).
“By the beginning of March of this year, the situation has not changed too much,” said Yevgeny Zhitnykhin, commercial director of the Fresh automotive market. The reason for this is the fall of the car market, which, according to the top manager, has become more, the result of high credit rates. To sell the stock, dealers and manufacturers offer special conditions for the purchase of new cars, Mr. Zhitnykhin said.
“In March, more and large brands – Chery, Geely, Haval – strengthened their proposals for trade conditions for the final client. The discount range is from 100 to 400 thousand rubles, ”confirms Nikolai Ivanov, director of the Department of New Cars of Rolf. However, judging by the reduced demand for the first two months of the current year, it will not be easy to sell warehouses, even taking into account special offers, Mr. Zhitnykhin believes.
Maxim Kadakov predicts the restoration of imports in the middle of the year. In his opinion, importers and automakers will probably increase supplies in anticipation of seasonal growth in demand for cars in the fall.
“The deficit will definitely not be in the near future. And the revitalization of imports can be expected no earlier than May or even June, ”adds Mr. Ivanov. Sergei Udalov also believes that deliveries will recover closer to summer. Two factors will affect the dynamics of imports: the sale of drains and the rate of reduction in the key rate of the Central Bank, the expert said.
