In recent months, Chinese cars that are legally considered used but have virtually no mileage have been actively imported into the Russian market. This situation arose due to the peculiarities of automakers' reporting in China, where dealers register cars as sold, but in reality, they remain in warehouses. Now, some of these cars are being sent to Russia, which raises questions among experts.
According to the Chinese publication Autohome, dealers in China are massively registering new cars to themselves and then reselling them as used through platforms like Guazi and DoCar. This allows them to meet sales targets set by manufacturers and receive discounts. At the same time, such cars can participate in government subsidy programs, which makes them attractive to buyers. However, in Russia, such schemes may create problems.
Firstly, all Chinese cars are in constant communication with China. And automakers can both suspend account activity and, accordingly, try in every possible way to "slow down" these cars, turn off screens, and so on.
In addition, their electronic systems may not be adapted to local conditions.
According to Avtostat, in the first quarter of 2024, 85% of new cars in Russia were Chinese, with 82% of them manufactured in 2023. However, experts do not expect a massive influx of "zero mileage used cars."
Irina Frank, CEO of Frank Auto, notes:
The main flow of used cars from China to Russia is formed by ordinary used cars. Although isolated examples may enter Russia through gray schemes, one should not expect a massive flow of these "zero mileage used cars," especially after the intervention of the regulator. Prices for them in China are usually only slightly lower than new ones, and not comparable to real cars with mileage, which also reduces their potential attractiveness for export.
Her words are complemented by the forecast of Nikolai Ivanov, Director of the New Cars Department at Rolf:
All this together will provoke a fairly large increase in price. Therefore, they may end up here, but they are unlikely to cost much cheaper than they initially cost in the Chinese market. And they will not "blow up" the market, that's my forecast.
Buying a Chinese "new used" car can be associated with technical and legal difficulties. While their share in the market is small, the situation requires attention from regulators and buyers.
Read more materials on the topic:
"Money is there": Russians spent 7 trillion rubles on used cars in 2024
Chinese cars imported into the Russian Federation are to be thoroughly checked
