Russian Auto Market Experiences 18% Growth in May 2026

Sales of new passenger and light commercial vehicles in Russia increased by 18% in May 2026 compared to the same period last year, reaching 110,669 units. The growth is largely driven by demand for Chinese brands such as Belgee, Haval, and Exeed. This has led to a shortage of certain models in the Russian market.

The global automotive market is interconnected, and trends in one region can have indirect effects on others. However, the shortage of Chinese models in Russia is not expected to directly impact owners of other vehicle brands, including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Porsche, VW, Volvo, Jaguar, Lexus, Toyota, and Honda.