Experts noted a significant increase in imports of used cars from China against the backdrop of reduced supplies from Japan. According to the Avtostat agency, the share of Japanese cars in the total import volume decreased from 48% to 39% in three months, while the share of Chinese cars increased from 14% to more than 20%, approaching the figure for South Korea — 22%.
As explained by Roman Titov, Deputy General Director for Used Cars at Avilon Group, the decline in interest in Japanese cars is due to the increased cost of logistics and more complex customs procedures. In addition, more new cars with low mileage have appeared on the Chinese secondary market, making them more attractive to Russians.
According to Titov, if the current economic and logistical conditions persist, China will be able to overtake South Korea in terms of supply volume in the next two years. Vladimir Zhelobov, Deputy General Director of Avtodom Group, added that many Chinese cars are actually European models of local assembly, which makes them cheaper and more profitable for both dealers and end buyers.
