Autostat reports record week for Russia’s passenger car market

Sales of new passenger cars in Russia hit record levels in the last full week of March, director of the Autostat analytical agency Sergey Tselikov reported the figures on his Telegram channel.

During the period, 28,600 vehicles were sold, a 19% increase compared with the previous week and a 36.5% rise compared with the same week in 2025.

Tselikov said the market “has truly awakened, responding to the early warm spring weather,” with previously deferred or “frozen” demand now translating into actual purchases.

He noted that the main driver of growth is the end-of-quarter push, when dealers aim to meet sales targets and secure the bonuses they are owed.

On the commercial vehicle side, Tselikov described the situation as “less rosy but not hopeless.” Sales of trucks, buses, and light commercial vehicles remain in negative territory, he added.

Avtovaz forecasts that total sales of new passenger cars in Russia for 2026 are expected to hold steady at last year’s levels.

By Vafa Guliyeva