Russian Auto Sales Plummet in January 2026 as Domestic Brands Capture 60% Market Share

In January 2026, Russia's overall automotive market saw a decline in sales, with new passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, heavy-duty trucks, and buses all recording year-on-year decreases. Sales of the latter three categories dropped by 28%, 39%, and 25%, respectively. That month, approximately 80,000 new passenger cars were sold. Although brands such as Lada, Haval, and Tenet ranked among the top ten best-sellers, some brands—including Lada, Haval, and Geely—still experienced a decline in sales. Notably, domestic brands significantly increased their market share to 60%, reflecting the ongoing progress of import substitution and further strengthening the dominance of locally produced vehicles. While Chinese brands collectively maintained a high market share, several Chinese automakers saw a marked drop in sales, indicating that the market is undergoing structural adjustments.