Western sanctions imposed on Russia have created an opening for Chinese-made autos and electronics to expand their market share in the country.
Chinese groups Chery Automobile, Great Wall Motor, and Geely Automobile captured a combined 16.5% of sales of new passenger cars and small commercial vehicles in Russia for 2022, up from 6.3% the year before.
Chinese brands’ market share is on track to surpass one-quarter this year, Russian media reports, as the automakers benefit from the ease of maintaining parts supplies from China.
Since Moscow invaded Ukraine a year ago, most foreign automakers have halted production in Russia, benefiting Chinese and Russian brands.
The share for top Russian automaker AvtoVAZ climbed by 6 points to 27.4%, but the Lada maker’s sales volume tumbled 46% owing to parts shortages and factory stoppages.
Chinese-made smartphones held 80% of the Russian market last year, up from 45% in 2021, led by Xiaomi.
China’s Huawei Technologies became Russia’s second-largest seller of notebook computers last year by market share, up from eighth place in 2021.