The Entire Automobile Market In Russia Has Turned A Blind Corner

• 15.01.2026, 12:24

Ukrainian intelligence revealed the details.

The past year 2025 turned out to be very bad for the Russian automobile market, but in 2026 the situation will get even worse for it. Such forecast was made by the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.

According to the SVR, prices for new cars in Russia continue to increase. Mass models have already left the budget segment. For example, if earlier Hyundai Solaris cost about 1 million rubles, now it costs 2.5 million rubles and more.

An additional problem for the Russian primary car market has become lending. From 2026, Russian banks are obliged to require proof of income from car buyers.

It is predicted that this will lead to a sharp drop in car lending - up to 50%. Many Russians who want to take out a car loan will not be able to do so, as banks will refuse them. A critical situation has also developed in the secondary car market in Russia.

The fact is that there is a shortage of models, and repair prices are constantly increasing. According to the forecast, by the end of 2026, Russian services will raise prices for repair and maintenance of cars by 20-25%.

It should be noted that after the Western countries imposed economic sanctions against Russia for the invasion of its army in Ukraine, all major international automobile companies left the Russian market.

Only a few Chinese automakers remained in Russia. At the moment, Chinese companies have already taken a significant share in the Russian automobile market. But even Chinese automakers are starting to leave Russia, as demand there is decreasing and production costs are increasing. For example, in 2025 alone, about 30 Chinese car models will leave the Russian market.