Why Hot-Selling Chinese Cars Are Cooling Down in Russia, Expert Analysis

Russian automotive expert Alexander Kovalev points out that Chinese cars popular in the Chinese market are not mainstream choices in the eyes of Russian consumers. There are significant differences in the underlying logic and demand preferences between the two automotive markets, leading to starkly different market performances for the same brand models in both countries.

Core Differences Between Chinese and Russian Automotive Markets

1. Divergent Market Structures and Consumer Preferences

- China Market: New energy and hybrid vehicles dominate. New energy vehicles (EVs) and hybrids account for nearly half of all new car sales. Thanks to continuously declining core powertrain component costs, these vehicles often match the pricing of comparable internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. Meanwhile, favorable credit policies and a stable low-inflation environment in China encourage frequent vehicle replacements, making ICE cars merely a basic option in county-level and rural markets.

- Russian Market: ICE vehicles remain the primary choice. Models such as the Haval Jolion and Chery Tiggo 7 L, which are popular among Russian consumers, were originally positioned as affordable commuter cars targeting third- and fourth-tier cities in their domestic market. Notably, the Haval Jolion was quickly withdrawn from the Chinese market after launch, failing to gain any meaningful recognition.

2. Misalignment in Price and Positioning

Owing to Russia’s vehicle customs clearance policies, popular Chinese new energy models like Xiaomi YU7 and Tesla Model Y face steep price hikes upon entering the Russian market due to taxes and other fees—jumping directly into luxury brand pricing tiers, far removed from their original affordable positioning. Conversely, the fuel-efficient sedans favored by Russian consumers are basic volume-selling models in China, lacking competitive edge in the premium segment.

The Only Common Hit Model

The Geely Monjaro (also known as the Geely Starry L) stands out as a rare common success across both markets. According to Kovalev, this model surpassed all competitors in 2025 to become the top-selling gasoline-powered SUV in China. At the same time, it maintains steady demand in Russia. The Monjaro succeeds through balanced product performance and upscale features, effectively meeting consumers’ core expectations for high-quality gasoline SUVs in diverse markets—making it a true “globally successful” case study.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1861271287241882/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.