Car Loans Back in the Black: Market Revived Before Price Hikes

Demand for new and used cars boosted by changes in subsidy terms and expectations of price increases

Car lending in Russia is showing growth for the second month in a row after a nearly year-long decline. According to the online broadcast "Avtostat Operativka", October was the first month of 2025 when the market turned positive, and November only strengthened the trend. The issuance of loans for new cars increased by 30% in units and by 61% in money terms compared to last year.

The situation in the secondary market changed a little later: in October, there was still a minus of 1%, but in November, the issuance of car loans for used cars also increased by 30%, and in monetary terms - by 44%. According to Sergei Udalov from Avtostat, the growth was stimulated by subsidized programs from manufacturers, but many buyers were waiting, keeping funds in deposits and hoping for improved conditions.

The situation changed dramatically when it became clear that the utilization fee would raise final prices, subsidies began to decline, and warehouse stocks were melting. Buyers rushed to take money from banks and invest in cars. The effect on the "secondary market" was similar: after a failure at the beginning of the year, the market went up, since even used cars may soon become noticeably more expensive.

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