A significant number of sanctioned Western cars, particularly Toyotas and Mazdas, are entering the Russian market via gray market transactions from China, circumventing sanctions.
Reports indicate that tens of thousands of vehicles are making their way into Russia from China through unofficial channels, bypassing sanctions imposed on Western automobile manufacturers. Notably, these vehicles include models from Toyota and Mazda, as well as premium German brands. In 2025, it was reported that nearly half of the 130,000 cars sold in Russia were sourced in this manner.
According to the Awtostat portal, Russian consumers purchased nearly 30,000 Toyota vehicles last year, with approximately 24,000 of them assembled in China. Mazda's sales reached around 7,000 units, nearly all of which were also assembled in China. Additionally, reports noted close to 47,000 new cars from BMW, Mercedes, and the Volkswagen Group (including Audi, Porsche, and Skoda) were registered, with over 20,000 of these vehicles produced in China. Since the beginning of 2022, the Russian market has seen the sale of over 700,000 vehicles that are covered by sanctions.
The departure of all Western automotive companies from the Russian market has left consumers with limited choices, highlighting the ongoing adaptations in the market as demand for automobiles persists despite geopolitical tensions. The influx of vehicles from China not only reflects the resilience of the Russian market in sourcing and purchasing vehicles but also underscores the global ramifications of sanctions and the shifting dynamics in international trade.
