As the exodus of Western automakers narrows the options for Russian consumers, Chinese automakers are barely filling the gap, forcing Russians to overcome their reluctance to accept Chinese brands and their inflated prices, Reuters writes.
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Chinese brands such as Haval, Chery and Geely now account for almost 40% of new car sales in Russia, according to data from the analytical agency Autostat. Compared to February of last year, this place was filled by cars from companies such as Renault, Nissan and Mercedes.
The market share of Chinese brands reached 37.15% in January-February compared to 9.48% a year earlier, according to Autostat and PPK data. Sales of European, Japanese and Korean brands fell to 22.6% from 70%.
Many in Russia consider Chinese cars to be of lower quality than their Western rivals, and industry experts say Chinese manufacturers need to improve their reputation even as their market share grows rapidly.
Many who have the money are scrambling to still buy cars from Czech automaker Škoda Auto, part of the Volkswagen Group, one of several Western automakers that built cars in Russia, but they are also in the final stages of a deal to sell their Russian assets in connection with Western sanctions after Moscow sent troops to Ukraine last February.
Also, many are interested and looking for Chinese cars that incorporate some Western technology.
“For example, I know the (Geely) Tugella has a Volvo engine. That’s why I chose this car,” says one buyer.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said after his visit to China that cooperation with Chinese manufacturers is good and consumer perceptions are outdated. “We used to laugh at some of their designs, but I went for a drive in a local car and looked at others,” he said. “I’ll be honest: the car I drove was definitely not worse than the Mercedes.”
Although most foreign car companies have left Russia or are about to do so in the near future, inventories and parallel imports mean that some companies’ cars are still for sale.
The Lada brand of the Russian manufacturer Avtovaz is the most popular in Russia. Renault, with its former controlling stake in Avtovaz, held the largest market share among foreign manufacturers before Russia launched its “special military operation” in Ukraine.
In a sign of growing cooperation, China’s Haval now produces cars locally in Russia, while the revived Soviet-era Moskvich in Moscow uses engine parts, design and engineering from China’s JAC.
But another problem for consumers is the price. Even Medvedev said that Moskvich’s price looks a bit high. The “3” model costs about 2 million rubles, while the prices of the best-selling car in Russia, “Lada Granta”, start at about 680,000 rubles.
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