Chinese brands such as Haval, Chery and Geely now account for about 40% of new car sales in Russia. They came to replace Renault, Nissan and Mercedes that left the Russian Federation.
The Russians say the quality of some Chinese cars is lower than Western competitors, and industry experts said Chinese manufacturers need to bolster their reputation even as their market share skyrockets.
Most Western automakers, which have been battling with domestic automakers for market share since they started building plants in Russia in the early 2000s, went out of business last spring. While most foreign firms have left Russia or are in the process of leaving, stockpiles and “parallel imports” mean some companies’ vehicles remain on sale.
Local experts point out that while Chinese cars are increasingly filling the niche, the lack of reputation remains a problem. The lower standard of living and the desire for western-made cars made people cut their spending and buy more used cars.
