East Asia: Facts and Analytics, 2026/3
DOI: 10.24412/2686-7702-2026-3-48-73
URL: PDF
Author 1
| Nazarova Daria V. |
| Patrice Lumumba Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia |
| ORCID: 0000-0002-4074-750X |
| E-mail: nazarova_dv@rudn.ru |
Author 2
| Sun Erxun (孙尔逊) |
| Patrice Lumumba Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia |
| ORCID: 0009-0001-9611-8825 |
| E-mail: 1032234868@rudn.ru |
Abstract
The article aims to identify the factors transforming the position of Chinese automakers in the Russian market amidst sanctions pressure and to assess the long-term risks associated with production localization, product quality, service infrastructure development and changing consumer preferences. The authors examine the transition of Chinese automotive companies from a model of rapid import substitution, which emerged after the withdrawal of a number of Western, Japanese and South Korean manufacturers, to a more complex model of production presence involving local assembly, subsidiary and localized brands, and adaptation to Russian regulatory and macroeconomic conditions. The theoretical basis of the study is the concept of global value chains, which makes it possible to interpret changes in the Russian automotive market not only as a result of foreign trade redirection, but also as a process of restructuring production, logistics and service links. The novelty of the study lies in applying this framework to evaluate the depth of localization and the sustainability of Chinese automakers’ market presence. The article shows that their dominance in Russia is entering a phase of structural adjustment: by the end of 2025, sales of Chinese brands fell by 25 % (to 685,2 thousand units), and their market share declined from 58.5 % to 51.7 %, while direct imports from China dropped by 68 % (from 656 thousand to 210 thousand units). This reduction of direct imports is accompanied by the faster growth of localized brands and the growing importance of after-sales service and reputational sustainability. The authors conclude that the long-term position of Chinese automakers will depend less on vehicle affordability and more on their ability to enhance product quality, ensure spare parts availability, strengthen dealer networks and integrate into the Russian production base.
Keywords
Russia, China, automotive industry, passenger cars, import substitution, sanctions, production localization, global value chains
Support
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Acknowledgments
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For citation
Nazarova D.V., Sun E. (2026). Transformatsiya rossiyskogo rynka legkovykh avtomobiley v usloviyakh sanktsionnogo davleniya: ukrepleniye pozitsiy kitayskikh proizvoditeley [Transformation of the Russian passenger car market amidst sanctions pressure: the strengthening position of the Chinese manufacturers]. Vostochnaya Aziya: fakty i analitika [East Asia: Facts and Analytics], 8 (3): 48–73. (In Russian). DOI 10.24412/2686-7702-2026-3-48-73
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Dates
| Received Date: | Jul 8, 2026 |
| Accepted Date: | Aug 5, 2026 |
| Publication Date: | Sep 30, 2026 |
International License: CC BY 4.0