Imported vehicles may diminish their financial allure by the year 2025, according to recent research findings.
In the first seven months of 2024, over 177,000 foreign cars found their way into Russia, indicating a strong interest in imported vehicles. However, 2025 saw a significant change in the market dynamics, with the investment appeal of luxury imported cars taking a hit.
Alexander Korotkov, General Director of Likvi.com, observed that demand shifted towards domestic and Chinese brands by 2025. This shift was primarily due to increasing U.S. import tariffs on luxury cars, which raised costs for foreign luxury brands and led to higher vehicle prices for consumers.
The higher import tariffs on luxury cars reduced profitability for brands like Audi, Volkswagen, and others, impacting sales and operating results. Consumers, in turn, started favouring SUVs and crossovers over large luxury sedans, pushing traditional luxury car sales downward.
Luxury brands reacted by expanding their SUVs and electrified options, but increased manufacturing costs anticipated for 2026 models may further pressure prices. Significant EV incentives set to expire soon drove a surge in electric vehicle sales, benefiting some domestic and Chinese brands better positioned with competitive EV offerings.
Many Russians considered imported cars a profitable investment in 2024. But in 2025, imported cars reappeared on the market, yet conditions proved unfavorable for investors. Sellers had to lower prices to attract buyers, sacrificing expected profit. To minimize expenses, the transport must be registered in the name of the importing person for at least a year, and the engine volume of the imported car must not exceed 3 liters.
Russian traders actively bought used luxury models aged 3-5 years from Korean dealers and Japanese auctions in 2025. However, cars imported from Japan and China via Vladivostok were often cheaper and in better technical condition than domestic offerings.
Cars imported from abroad require payment of customs duties and taxes, including a recycling fee, the amount of which is calculated based on the age of the car, engine volume, and other parameters. Minimizing expenses can be achieved by using the imported car personally.
By August 2025, the number of offers for these luxury brand cars increased from 695 in April to 1719, indicating a continued interest in these vehicles, albeit with a shift in consumer preference. As the market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the luxury car segment adapts to these changing dynamics.
Investors found luxury imported cars less appealing in 2025 due to increased U.S. import tariffs, leading to higher vehicle prices, reduced profitability for brands like Audi and Volkswagen, and a shift in consumer preference towards domestic and Chinese brands.
Despite the increase in the number of offers for luxury imported cars, sellers had to lower prices to attract buyers in 2025, as the conditions proved unfavorable for profits, and cars imported from abroad required payment of customs duties and taxes.
