The Russian auto market is entering a period of gradual stabilization following Western sanctions. Aleksey Podshchekoldin, head of the Russian Automobile Dealers Association (ROAD), announced a forecast of 1.4 million new passenger car sales for 2026.
Podshchekoldin stated that after the shocks of previous years, the market is in a stabilization phase. However, he emphasized that consumers view car purchases as a serious financial decision and are being cautious.
According to Avtostat data, 608,618 new passenger cars were sold in Russia in the January-June period of 2026. This figure represents a 15% increase compared to the same period last year. The ROAD head said that this growth is largely due to the low base effect of 2025.
Podshchekoldin said they do not expect demand in the second half of the year to be as strong as last autumn. According to ROAD forecasts, if auto loan interest rates improve and consumer confidence increases, the market could reach up to 1.5 million units by the end of 2026. Otherwise, sales are expected to remain at the 1.4 million level.