The number of car dealerships in Russia has decreased by only 25 units in a year.

As of January 2026, the number of dealerships (car dealerships) in Russia is 2,971 units, compared to January last year, their number has decreased by only 25 units. Sergey Tselikov, director of the Autostat analytical agency, told about this in his Telegram channel.

The expert noted that the number of dealerships is decreasing, although the number of contracts is growing. In January of this year, there were 4,569 dealer contracts with passenger car brands in the Russian Federation, which is 267 more (+6.2%) than in January 2025.

"This paradox is explained by the massive conclusion of contracts with new "Russian" brands. At the same time, the "old" Chinese contracts remain valid. The vast majority of them are located in the same dealership. A striking example is Chery—Tenet," explained Tselikov.

He noted that the process of termination and conclusion of contracts continues quite rapidly: during the year, 863 dealer contracts were terminated and 1,130 new ones were concluded. The current number of dealer contracts is a record for the entire period of observation (since 2002), the expert added.

"Buyers are exhausted": car sales in 2025 decreased by 16%

Chinese cars are being replaced by Russian models

Earlier, on January 23, FAW Passenger Cars reported that by the end of 2025, almost a third of Bestune dealerships were closed in Russia. If at the beginning of last year the brand had 92 dealers, by the end the number of partners had decreased to 65.

On January 21, Kommersant, citing calculations by Gazprombank Avtolizing and Avtobusinessrevue, reported that by the end of 2025, 643 showrooms of Chinese brands engaged in the sale of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles were closed in Russia.

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