Figures from Russia's automotive industry show the country imported a total of 391,500 passenger cars in the first half of 2026. New cars accounted for 186,300 units, while used vehicles older than three years reached 205,200 units, pointing to steadily rising demand for car imports.
Chinese vehicles made up 70 percent of new car imports, securing its position as the top supplier. Deliveries of new cars entering Russia via Kyrgyzstan surged, nearly tripling compared with the same period last year. By contrast, imports from South Korea fell sharply, dropping by almost half year-on-year. The data reflects growing consumer demand for automobiles in Russia alongside a notable shift in sourcing destinations.
Industry analysts note that the sharp spike in new car imports through Kyrgyzstan does not stem from improved local vehicle manufacturing capacity. Instead, it mainly reflects a shift in trade and transit routes, with a large volume of vehicles routed via Kyrgyzstan for delivery to Russia.
The landscape of the used car market remains relatively stable, with Japan retaining first place and China ranking second. In the first half of the year, Japan shipped 117,700 used cars to Russia, accounting for 57.3% of all used car imports. China exported 50,500 units, registering an outstanding growth rate that outstripped all other competitors. Imports of used cars from South Korea continued their steep decline, totalling just 16,100 units, a 61% drop year-on-year.
Tselikov stated that 96% of used cars imported into Russia have engines with an output of no more than 160 horsepower. This trend is closely linked to Russia's revised vehicle recycling fee regulations. Following the implementation of the new rules, import costs for high-power vehicles have risen substantially. As a result, buyers are opting for lower-powered models with more predictable expenses. This constitutes a key reason for the sustained slump in used car supplies from traditional major exporters including South Korea, Georgia and the United Arab Emirates.
Notably, earlier data released by Autostat shows Russia's new car sales hit 116,300 units in June 2026, climbing nearly 30% month-on-month. The figure indirectly signals that Russia's automotive market remains in recovery.