A report reveals that Russia has registered tens of thousands of vehicles from China, including major brands like Toyota and Mazda, in an effort to circumvent sanctions since the invasion of Ukraine.
According to research conducted by the company 'Autostat', in the past year, nearly 30,000 Toyota vehicles were registered in Russia, with approximately 24,000 of those manufactured in China. The data highlights a significant influx of automobiles from China into the Russian market, suggesting a strong reliance on Chinese production as the country grapples with international sanctions. Registration figures also indicated about 7,000 Mazda models were registered, predominantly sourced from Chinese factories.
Additionally, around 47,000 new vehicles manufactured by German companies such as BMW, Mercedes, and Volkswagen Group—including brands like Audi, Porsche, and Škoda—were registered in Russia. Notably, more than 20,000 of these vehicles were also produced in China. This pattern underscores a trend where Russia appears to be circumventing Western sanctions by increasingly tapping into Chinese automotive manufacturing capabilities as it seeks to sustain its economy and mobility demands in the face of limited Western imports.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, over 700,000 of these mentioned brands of vehicles have been registered in Russia. This data serves as an indicator of how Russia has pivoted towards alternative sources for critical goods, specifically vehicles, showing a shift in trade dynamics following escalating geopolitical tensions and the resulting economic sanctions imposed by the West against Russia.
