Panic verses: import of models of bygone car brands has increased in Russia

Last month, car imports to Russia increased markedly, with shipments through alternative channels more than doubling. Importers are actively bringing Toyota, BMW and Audi not only from China, but even from Germany. Izvestia found out what would happen to alternative imports next.

"Alternative" statistics

In March, 33,254 new passenger cars were imported to Russia, which is 40% more than in the same period last year. At the same time, imports through alternative channels increased by 160% at once. The ratio between official and alternative imports was 51/49, said Sergey Tselikov, General Director of Autostat. Importers officially imported 16.9% of cars, mainly Geely (29.9%) (Changan 19.1%) and GAC (15.1%), Jetour (10.8%) and Tank (8.5%). The most imported model was the Geely Monjaro. 16.3 thousand new passenger cars were imported to Russia through alternative channels. These are mainly Toyota (20.6%), BMW (11.4%), Audi (9.5%), Mercedes-Benz (7.9%) and Volkswagen (6.1%) models.

Despite the prohibitions

China accounts for 60% of imported cars, while Kyrgyzstan accounts for just over a quarter. Interestingly, Germany was on the list of exporting countries in March, albeit with a meager 0.7% share.

At the same time, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen are doing everything possible to prevent unauthorized exports of their cars to Russia. A German car dealer was even sentenced to six years in prison for supplying cars to Russia. According to German customs, he shipped 111 luxury cars to Russia for a total of about 20 million euros and planned to sell another 400 cars for almost 40 million euros.

It grows in parallel

At first glance, the significant increase in car imports in March 2026 is due to the low base of 2025. So, in March last year, only 23.8 thousand cars were imported to Russia. This was due to the significant stocks of cars imported in 2024, an increase in the share of localized models, and the next indexation of scrap collection.

Nevertheless, there is still interest in the models of bygone brands. In March, 15.5 thousand such cars were registered, which is 15% of total sales. The share of Alternative in total sales has been growing since the end of last year. If at the beginning of 2025 this figure was about 6%, then at the beginning of 2026 it increased to 15.2%. They mainly carry cars of a preferential category with a capacity of up to 160 hp.

The most popular "alternative" brand is Toyota, with 2,831 units sold in March (18.3%).This is followed by Mazda (1931 units and 12.5%) and BMW (1693 units and 11%). Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Skoda, Honda, Kia and Lexus cars are also in demand. The list of the most popular models is headed by Mazda CX-5 (1739 units). The Toyota Highlander entered the top ten. Toyota RAV4, Audi Q5, BMW X3, Skoda Superb, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Tiguan, Lexus RX and Volkswagen Tharu.

Recycling is under approval

Maxim Kadakov, editor—in-chief of Za Rulem, called such purchases "panicky" - Russians were eager to buy a car, fearing import restrictions and rising prices. From April 1, 2026, recycling rates for cars imported by individuals through the EAEU countries, primarily through Kyrgyzstan, were to change. In anticipation of this, not only buyers, but also importers, who sought to import as many cars as possible at the old rates, revived. However, the new rules have not yet entered into force.

"At the moment, the draft act is undergoing the approval procedure established by law, including in terms of reviewing the comments and suggestions received, forming an opinion on the regulatory impact assessment and preparing for submission to the Government of the Russian Federation. Information on the date of entry into force of the act will be posted additionally upon completion of this procedure," the press service of the Ministry of Industry and Trade told Izvestia.

Maxim Kadakov suggested that the import of such machines will be active in April. Automakers, despite the anti-Russian sanctions, are interested in selling more cars, especially against the background of declining sales in other markets. Kadakov cited the example of the Skoda brand, which was able to sell only 15 thousand cars in the Chinese market in 2025. A considerable part of these cars then moved from the Chinese market to the Russian one.

New obstacles

Irina Frank, CEO of Frank Auto, drew attention to the fact that since January, China has tightened the rules for exporting cars, prohibiting the export of new cars under the guise of used ones earlier than 180 days after registration.

— China actually closed the scheme in which new cars were registered and immediately removed from the register for export under the guise of used ones. Now, to export a car registered less than 180 days ago, you need a special permission from the manufacturer with confirmation of after—sales service," Irina Frank said.

According to her, this has already led to significant delays and reduced shipments from China in early 2026, creating a shortage risk for a number of popular models. So, this is one of the reasons for the decline in sales of the Mazda brand, which left the top ten in March. Also, according to Irina Frank, Mazda's popularity is influenced by the emergence of more affordable and localized models, towards which consumer preferences are shifting.

"In the near future, we will see how the market adapts, but parallel imports are likely to continue to exist, although they will become a more complex and expensive channel," notes Irina Frank.

Demand in advance

The drop in Mazda sales in March is largely due to the high base of previous months, said Nikolai Ivanov, director of the New car sales department at Rolf.

— In January-February, there was an increased demand for models with engines up to 160 hp, which are subject to more favorable recycling conditions. A significant part of the buyers realized their demand in advance, which led to a decrease in the figures in March," he said.

In the coming months, the pace of imports, including parallel ones, may stabilize or even decrease, since part of the demand has already been realized in advance, Nikolai Ivanov believes.

— As for the tightening of the rules for exporting cars from China from January 1, 2026, this really has an impact on the market. However, the participants have already partially adapted to the new conditions, so there will be no complete cessation of supplies. Nevertheless, such measures can lead to longer delivery times and higher costs, the expert believes.