Slow down, slow down: six more models were recommended for taxis
The Ministry of Industry and Trade has added six more models to the list of cars allowed to work in taxis. For the first time, the list includes the Jetour Dashing, Tenet T4L, Tenet T8, Omoda C7, Jeland J6 crossovers and the Tenet A8 sedan. Experts say that this is not the latest update to the list. Izvestia investigated whether such a variety would lead to difficulties with servicing cars in taxi companies.
Regular updates
Now the list of cars that meet the requirements of the law on taxi localization contains more than 30 models. The first version of the list was published by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in October 2025. It includes Lada, Moskvich, Sollers, Evolute and even UAZ SUVs, but other brands produced in Russia are not included.
On March 4, a new version of the list was published. The Umo 5 electric car got into it and the UAZ disappeared — the Sollers company itself informed the Ministry of Industry and Trade that they did not see any prospects for using such machines for taxi transportation.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade clarified that the list suggests the possibility of regular updates, taking into account models that will be produced in Russia under the SPIC with commitments to deepen localization. And so it happened: on March 24, the list was supplemented with Haval and Tenet models, after which it was updated several more times. For example, the Russian Atom electric car was approved for taxis.
Are we waiting for the Volga?
In all likelihood, these are not the latest edits. For example, Volga cars are still outside the list, and in Soviet times, Volga cars traditionally worked in taxis. There are chances for the SWM brand, which has recently begun to be produced at Avtotor on a full cycle. In addition, the Omoda C7 announced in the current edition will soon be renamed Jeland C7, which will also require updating the list.
To be included in the list, cars must have a localization level of at least 3,200 points. Another criterion is whether the manufacturer has a contract concluded after March 1, 2025, and a separate decision on the admission of the model to such purchases by the government of the Russian Federation. However, the Ministry of Industry and Trade previously clarified that the possibility of including a model in this list is being considered if the car scores at least 1.5 thousand localization points, excluding R&D, and the manufacturer's investments in the development of production over the past two years amount to at least 10 billion rubles. Finally, the car can be added to the list by government order.
According to the register of Russian industrial products, Jeland J6 has a localization level of 2377 points, Tenet T8 has 2401 points, Tenet A8 has 2336 points, Jetour Dashing has 1751 points, and Omoda C7 has 2000 points. The share of R&D points is not allocated in any way.
The more, the better
A taxi company or a private taxi driver should have the maximum choice, says Igor Morzharetto, partner of Autostat.
— And they will choose a car that suits them in terms of price–performance ratio and other parameters. Accordingly, the more cars on this list, the better. There is still a lot to strive for. I still don't understand why it didn't include Belgee cars, which are very actively used in taxis," Igor Morzharetto said.
Requests in the taxi industry fully reflect the current list after the fourth addition since the beginning of March, says Stanislav Schwagerus, an expert at the Research Center for Digital Transport Legislation.
— If in the USSR taxi cars were exclusively Volga and everything was unified, now the economic situation is different. Taxi market participants choose which cars to use on their own. Automakers are interested in getting their models on this list as quickly as possible in order to gain access to the largest corporate customer. Of course, when there are a large number of brands in the fleet, this complicates the issues of operation and repair. But, again, now other products of the automotive industry, as a rule, cars are under warranty. Dealers close most of the issues related to operation and repair," the expert noted.
Different localization
The expansion of the list of taxi cars is beginning to raise questions, says Maxim Kadakov, editor-in-chief of Za Rulem.
— If we look at the actual localization of some of the cars on this list, it is very different. There are machines that are only welded and painted in the Russian Federation, there are machines for which part of the stamping is done in Russia. There are cars that are highly localized, like Lada. And they all end up on this list. It feels like you only need to have a Russian VIN number and at least some localization, and you immediately get on the list. I think AvtoVAZ also has a question why this is so," Kadakov said.
Anchor models are missing
Irina Zaripova, Chairman of the Public Council for Taxi Development, positively assesses the further expansion of the list of localized vehicles approved for use in taxis. The more models available to carriers, the more opportunities there are to choose a car that meets the specifics of the business and operating conditions, she notes.
— It is important to understand that new models by themselves do not mean that they will be in demand by the market. The main criterion for carriers is the economics of operation. New cars included in the list belong to the price segment starting from 2.1 million rubles. This is quite a high cost for the taxi industry. It should be borne in mind that in most cases cars are purchased on lease or on credit, and with current interest rates, the total cost of ownership becomes even higher," Irina Zaripova said.
According to her, from the point of view of business economics, cars worth about 1.3–1.5 million rubles would be the most in demand. Therefore, today it cannot be said that the list fully meets the needs of the market, says the chairman of the Public Council for Taxi Development.
So far, there are no "anchor" models in it, which could become a mass choice of carriers due to the optimal combination of cost, reliability and operational characteristics.
— In addition, the industry still lacks affordable spacious vehicles for transporting large families and other categories of passengers who require an increased number of seats. The minivans and high—capacity cars presented today belong to the expensive segment, which significantly limits the possibilities of their widespread use in taxis," notes Irina Zaripova.
At the same time, the variety of models will not create any significant difficulties for taxi companies, she is sure.
— The market has been working with various car brands for a long time, so the wider the choice, the more efficiently carriers will be able to build the economy of their business and update their fleet, — says Irina Zaripova.
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