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Luxury Car Sales Surge in Russia Despite Broader Market Slump

Luxury vehicle sales in Russia rose 19% from January through June year-on-year.

Russian Automotive Sector in Decline as Hundreds of Dealerships Close

Analysts blame high vehicle prices, the Central Bank’s stricter car loan policies and increased interest rates on loans and deposits.

Russian Car Market Expected to Contract by 24% This Year

The new projection reflects a sharp decline in consumer demand and the broader impact of a slumping economy.

Foreign Automakers Scale Back New Model Launches in Russia

Only about 20 new foreign models were launched in the first half of the year compared to more than 100 during the same period in 2024.

Car Sales in Russia May Fall by 25% in 2025, AvtoVAZ CEO Says

“The market is clearly going to decline, and we expect that drop to be about a quarter compared to last year,” CEO Maxim Sokolov told state media.

Renault Considering Making Drones in Ukraine

France's defense minister announced earlier that a French automaker and a French defense firm would produce drones in Ukraine.

Russian Car Sales Plunge 27.5% Year-on-Year

Over 70% of all new passenger vehicles sold in Russia since the beginning of the year were produced in either 2023 or 2024.

Russia Mandates All Taxis Be Locally Made by 2026

The Kaliningrad region and Siberian territories will get a two-year extension, while the Far East will have until 2030 to comply.

Want to Return to Russia? Pay Up $1.3Bln, AvtoVAZ CEO Tells Renault

“The entry price will not exactly equal the exit price of 1 ruble,” AvtoVAZ CEO Maxim Sokolov said after the French automaker suggested a possible...

Police in St. Petersburg Crack Down on Noisy Cars

Drivers who fail “to reset” their vehicles to “factory settings” risk losing their driving privileges.

Former Hyundai Plant in St. Petersburg Reopens Under New Russian Owner

Around 800 workers are currently employed at the production facility, the company's press service said.

Putin Seizes Exiled Billionaire’s Car Dealership

It appears to be the first confiscation of a Russian-owned business since Putin invaded Ukraine and started seizing the assets of exiting Western companies...

Russian Lawmakers to Lose Free Gas Privileges for Driving Foreign Cars – Izvestia

Putin ordered officials in August to support sanctions-hit domestic carmakers by giving up foreign-made vehicles.

Hyundai Sells St. Petersburg Auto Plant

The South Korean automaker reportedly agreed to sell its Russia-based operations to local buyers for a token 7,000 rubles.

New Russian Owners ‘Squeezing Out’ Workers at Former Volkswagen Plant – Trade Union

Around 1,300 of the 3,700 remaining workers at VW's former plant in the Kaluga region have quit since new owners took over, the MPRA trade union said.

Russia's Luxury Car Imports Surge During Ukraine War

Cars with a sticker price of 10 million rubles ($98,500) or more increased by 22% in 2022.

Japan Cuts Off $2Bln Used-Car Exports to Russia – Reuters

Estimates suggest that Japanese used-car sales were on track to top $1.9 billion in 2023 before Tokyo suspended the Russian backchannel.

Finland Follows Baltics, Bans Entry to Russian Vehicles

“We estimate the new rules will significantly reduce traffic on the border between Finland and Russia,” Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said...

Estonia Bans Entry to Russian Vehicles

The decision followed European Commission clarifications on sanctions compliance that drew accusations of “racism” from Russian officials.

Russian Government Bucks Putin's Call to Forgo Foreign Cars – Agentstvo

Russian government bodies, agencies and state-affiliated companies purchased 151 foreign-made cars worth 566 million rubles ($5.9 million) in August.

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