It seems that even the so-called "big" Russian automotive industry has failed to cope with the pressure of economic circumstances. Despite attempts to replace European brands with Chinese analogues, Russian consumers do not show much desire to buy such cars.
As a result, about 500 thousand unsold cars have accumulated in warehouses, including 100 thousand Ladas. While European players, particularly Germany, France, and Italy, continue to dominate the global car market, Russia is forced to watch from the sidelines, admitting that its plans do not align with the real state of affairs.
Despite the war, the Ukrainian car market remains resilient. Of course, the full-scale invasion has significantly hit sales figures — there is rarely a rush in showrooms, and a significant part of buyers has shifted focus to the needs of the army. However, the situation is far from critical.
Demand for new cars, although not breaking records, is gradually recovering, and the used car market is even experiencing a rise thanks to supplies from Europe. In addition, thanks to state programs and volunteer assistance, the vehicle fleet of the Armed Forces and critical infrastructure facilities is being systematically replenished.
Against the background of Russian difficulties, the Ukrainian market looks much more optimistic. And most importantly, no one here is trying to pass off an outdated Lada as "modern import substitution".
