Members of the Russia-Germany Chamber of Commerce: China's position is strong, and German cars are no longer as attractive to Russians as they used to be
Valdemar Eberhardt, a member of the Russia-Germany Chamber of Commerce and CEO of a Bavarian construction company, said today in an interview with RIA Novosti that Russian car enthusiasts now prefer Chinese cars and have lost interest in German cars. In his opinion, German cars can no longer compete with Chinese car products in Russia.
"German cars are no longer as attractive to Russians as they used to be. What can the German automotive industry offer Russian consumers? Only traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. In terms of electric vehicles, German manufacturing has no competitiveness at all. Chinese manufacturers have already gained a strong position in the Russian market. The Chinese not only produce better cars, but also cheaper cars."
After Russia launched its special military operation, European, Japanese, and South Korean car brands have all withdrawn from the Russian market. Chinese car exports to Russia increased more than sevenfold, but since April this year, the delivery volume of Chinese cars exported to Russia has sharply declined. In the first quarter of 2025, 213 Chinese car dealerships closed, a number that exceeded the total for 2024.
To counter the dominance of Chinese brands in Russia, Russia is currently discussing the imposition of tariffs to support the domestic automotive industry. On the 15th of this month, Valery Gartung, chairman of the State Duma Committee for Competition Protection, stated that Russia needs to intervene in the market through administrative means to protect its domestic automotive industry.
"We are technologically far behind China. We need to protect our market, and everyone in the world does so."
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1838170802561353/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.