Automotive industry in Russia - statistics & facts

Russia is one of the leading automotive producers worldwide. In 2021, nearly 1.4 million vehicles were produced in the country. The value of exported cars from the country was significantly lower than imports of passenger and commercial vehicles. One of the reasons for the trade deficit was the fact that exports of the domestic brand Lada to the European Union (EU) ceased in 2018 due to environmental regulations. As part of the sanctions in response to the war in Ukraine, the EU, the United States, the United Kingdom (UK), and Japan banned exports of luxury cars to Russia in March 2022. Furthermore, the Russian government banned exports of passenger cars previously imported to the country until the end of 2022.

Exodus of foreign car manufacturers from Russia

International automotive companies like Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen, BMW, Toyota Motor, Nissan, General Motors, Audi, Skoda and many others limited their operations temporarily or permanently left the Russian market in 2022, thus affecting thousands of employees in the country. For instance, Renault Group counted about 45 thousand employees in Russia before leaving the market. In general, there were nearly 60 thousand employees in automotive companies that suspended operations in the country. Volkswagen, Renault Group, and Toyota Motor were among the 10 highest-earning foreign companies in Russia in 2021.

Passenger cars

The steadily growing Russian car market is expected to reach nearly 390 thousand vehicles per thousand inhabitants in 2025. Moscow accounted for the largest passenger car parc nationwide, followed by the Moscow Oblast and the Krasnodar Krai. Lada was the leading brand primary by new registrations in June 2022. Lada vehicles are produced by the Russian company AvtoVaz, which was co-owned by Renault until May 2022. The French company, which used to hold 68 percent of stakes of AvtoVaz, sold them to the Russian Central Research and Development Automobile and Engine Institute, a state entity, for one Russian ruble. The transfer agreement reportedly included a clause with an option for Renault to buy its shares back within six years.



Commercial vehicles

The production volume of commercial vehicles and trucks was considerably lower than that of passenger cars in Russia. However, in contrast to the passenger car segment, domestic manufacturers of commercial vehicles outnumbered foreign companies in terms of production. Gaz and Uaz were the leading manufacturers of light commercial vehicles countrywide, while Kamaz dominated the heavy commercial vehicle segment. All three companies were headquartered in Russia.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Statista Research Department, Jun 29, 2023

Key insights

Most sold car model
Lada Granta
Largest car market segment in Russia
SUV
Estimated electric car sales
8.5k units
Get more insights

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Number of new passenger cars (PCs) registered in Russia in June 2022, by manufacturer

Passenger Cars

New PC registrations in Russia 2022, by manufacturer

Best sold passenger cars in Russia from January to September 2022, by model and manufacturer

Passenger Cars

Most sold passenger car models in Russia in 2022

Value of car exports from Russia from 2018 to 2021, by vehicle type (in million U.S. dollars)

Vehicles & Road Traffic

Export value of cars from Russia 2018-2021, by vehicle type

Related topics

Recommended

3

Recommended statistics

Market overview

6

Market overview

Production

5

Production

Retail

6

Retail

Passenger car manufacturers

6

Passenger car manufacturers

Commercial vehicle manufacturers

4

Commercial vehicle manufacturers

Electric cars

3

Electric cars

Trade

8

Trade

Consumer behavior

4

Consumer behavior

Further reportsGet the best reports to understand your industry

Automotive dealerships in the United Kingdom (UK)
Automotive dealerships in the United Kingdom (UK)
Automotive retail industry in Germany
Automotive retail industry in Germany
Automotive retail industry in Italy
Automotive retail industry in Italy
Automotive retail industry in France
Automotive retail industry in France
Automotive industry in Poland
Automotive industry in Poland

Contact

Get in touch with us. We are happy to help.
Statista Locations
Contact Meredith Alda
Meredith Alda
Sales Manager– Contact (United States)
Email
support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Contact Yolanda Mega
Yolanda Mega
Operations Manager– Contact (Asia)
Email
asia.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm (SGT)

Contact Kisara Mizuno
Kisara Mizuno
Senior Business Development Manager– Contact (Asia)
Email
support.japan@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 10:00am - 6:00pm (JST)

Contact Lodovica Biagi
Lodovica Biagi
Director of Operations– Contact (Europe)
Email
eu.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9:30am - 5pm (GMT)

Contact Carolina Dulin
Carolina Dulin
Group Director - LATAM– Contact (Latin America)
Email
latam@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Menu