China's car exports to Russia surge in July 2026
China's exports of passenger cars to Russia in July 2026 reached $1.39 billion, the highest level since November 2024, with a 63% year-on-year increase in units shipped. The growth was driven by new energy vehicles and strong demand from both individuals and transit channels through Kyrgyzstan.
Consensus
- China's exports of passenger cars to Russia increased by 63% in July 2026 compared to July 2025.
- The volume of direct shipments of new Chinese passenger cars to Russia in July 2025 was 32,700 units.
- The total value of Chinese passenger car exports to Russia in July 2026 was $1.39 billion.
- The growth in exports was driven by new energy vehicles (NEVs), including plug-in hybrids and electric cars.
- More than a quarter of direct shipments of new cars to Russia were made by individuals.
- Cars produced in China also entered Russia via transit through Kyrgyzstan.
- The cumulative export of passenger cars from China to Russia from January to July 2026 totaled 161,200 units.
- China's overall export of passenger cars in July 2026 amounted to 923,000 units, a 88% increase from July 2025.
- The export of NEVs from China in July 2026 rose by 148% to 550,000 units.
- The total export of passenger cars from China in the first seven months of 2026 exceeded 6 million units, a 72% increase from the same period in 2025.
- Exports of automotive parts from China to Russia increased by 6.7% month-on-month in July 2026 to $259.9 million.
- The total export of automotive parts from China to Russia in the first seven months of 2025 increased by 21.4% year-on-year to $1.45 billion.
Points of divergence
- The monthly export of passenger cars from China to Russia in July 2026 showed a 12.2% month-on-month increase, the highest since November 2024. — interfax
- The month-on-month increase in Russia's imports of Chinese passenger cars in July 2026 was 15%, and Russia became the largest buyer of Chinese cars in that month. — kommersant
- In July 2026, Russia became the largest importer of Chinese cars, surpassing the UK and Belgium. — kommersant
- The export of passenger cars from China to Russia increased by 134.7% in January–June 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, reaching $6.24 billion. — vedomosti
- The total export of Chinese cars and auto parts to Russia in the first half of 2026 grew by 97.4% to $7.89 billion, accounting for 13% of China's total revenue from Russia. — vedomosti
- The export of trucks from China to Russia increased by 55.2% in 2026 compared to 2025, reaching $456.17 million. — vedomosti
- The export of trucks from China to Russia in July 2023 increased by 19.5% month-on-month to $132.3 million, the highest monthly value in 2026. — interfax
- In July 2026, the export of new energy vehicles from China reached 550,000 units, up 148% year-on-year. — fontanka
- In the first four months of 2026, Russians bought 105,500 used Chinese passenger cars, a 45% increase from 2025. — vedomosti
- The market share of used Chinese cars on Russia's secondary market rose from 4.1% to 5.7% in 2026. — vedomosti
- In July 2026, 74.2% of passenger car exports to Russia came from five Chinese regions: Anhui, Hebei, Chongqing, Heilongjiang, and Hunan. — interfax
- In July 2026, more than a quarter of new car imports into Russia were purchased by individuals. — fontanka
Coverage (4 sources)
- Export of passenger cars from China to Russia in July grew by 12.2% m/m, trucks – by 19.5% — Интерфакс
- Russia increased purchases of passenger cars from China to the maximum level since autumn 2024 — Коммерсантъ
- Chinese export of passenger cars approached one million vehicles in a month — Фонтанка
- Export of Chinese cars to Russia grew by 63% in July — Ведомости
Key entities
- Russia
- China
- China
- AvtoStat
- Sergey Tselikov
- Moscow
- INTERFAX.RU
- Great Britain
- Interfax
- Telegram channel
- RIA Novosti
- Main Customs Administration
- CPCA