Two and a half years of change in Russia’s auto market
Russia’s car market has undergone a clear reshaping over the last two and a half years. According to analyst Oleg Moseev, the landscape among the largest brands shows a domestic rebound, with LADA keeping its position at the top while several Chinese brands adjust their footprint. The period from 2023 through 2025 captures a transition that is as much about consumer preference as it is about production and model mix.
LADA consolidates its dominance
The central finding is straightforward: LADA’s market share has risen from 27.3% in 2023 to 30.6% by the end of the first eight months of 2025. This advance reinforces a broader trend of renewed demand for a homegrown brand, suggesting that Russian buyers view LADA as the most reliable, accessible option in a market increasingly defined by pricing dynamics, supply considerations, and familiarity with local models. The shift signals that, even amid broader global volatility, the domestic producer has re-established itself as the anchor of the Russian automotive sector.
Chinese brands and the shifting competitive balance
Haval remains the second-largest player, though its share has declined slightly—from 12.1% in 2024 to about 10.5% in 2025—indicating a partial cooling after a strong 2024. Chery and Geely continue to vie for third place: Chery sits around the 10% mark, while Geely’s share slipped from 9.5% in 2024 to 8.8% in 2025. This pattern points to a rebalancing within the Chinese cohort, as buyers diversify and brands recalibrate their product mix and incentives in the Russian market.
Changan and Jetour: diverging trajectories
Changan, which surged in 2024 to about 6.7%, has retraced to roughly 4.5% in 2025, suggesting a slowdown in growth rather than a loss of momentum. In contrast, Jetour has been one of the standout performers, expanding from about 0.8% in 2023 to 3.2% in 2025. This sharp rise marks Jetour as one of the fastest-growing brands on the market and signals a more complex competitive dynamic in the mass-market segment.
Niche players and the broader mix
In smaller segments, several brands are carving out a more defined niche. Omoda and Exeed each approach 4% shares, signaling meaningful gains for these players. Tank’s market share has edged down to about 1.4%, while the Moscow-based Moskvich remains stubbornly steady around 1.3–1.5%, a reminder that even the smallest players can influence the overall mix. JAC and Kaiyi remain below 1% and are largely within statistical margins, underscoring the fragility of ultra-niche positions in a market dominated by a handful of large brands and a broad array of entrants.
What this means for the Russian auto market going forward
The overall picture shows a clear preference for LADA and a selective rebalancing among Chinese brands—Geely and Changan have cooled somewhat, while Jetour, Omoda, and Exeed are building longer-term ambitions with expanding shares. For buyers, this translates into a broader choice of models and price tiers, with a domestic favorite remaining a steady anchor amid a shifting supply landscape. For brands, the takeaway is that success in Russia now hinges on a mix of competitive pricing, tailored local models, and effective dealer networks that can sustain growth even as macro conditions evolve. Analyst Moseev’s data highlight a market that, while comfortable with LADA’s leadership, remains open to strategic moves by mid-tier and niche brands that could redefine the competitive balance in the years ahead.
Bottom line
Over the past two and a half years, the Russian auto market has intensified its bifurcation: LADA’s ascendancy as a domestic benchmark and a recalibrated Chinese cohort, complemented by rising stars like Jetour, Omoda, and Exeed. The dynamic suggests a resilient, multi-brand environment with room for both a trusted local champion and ambitious newcomers—an outcome that bodes well for consumer choice and long-term market evolution.
