Uzbekistan is Central Asia's largest and most mature automotive market. 2024 new car sales exceeded 400,000 units, with BYD ranking third at 17,000 units and Chery fourth at 7,500. The UzAVTO-BYD joint venture for NEV production marks a key step in Chinese brands' localization strategy in Central Asia.
Latest 2026 data shows Chinese brand passenger vehicles now hold 40% market share in Russia, making China the largest brand camp in the country. This means 4 out of every 10 new cars sold are Chinese. Chery, Haval, Geely and Changan have established deep roots through KD assembly and localized operations, while Japanese and Korean brands continue to retreat. For Central Asian and Russian buyers, the choice space, after-sales network and product iteration speed of Chinese cars have fundamentally changed.
Russia has announced a further 15% increase in import vehicle scrappage tax, adding to accumulated hikes since 2023. Faced with mounting cost pressure, leading Chinese automakers are accelerating their shift from budget volume models to high-value vehicle exports, while exploring KD assembly and localization routes to mitigate tax burdens.
In May 2026, Chinese brand vehicle sales in Russia rose 8% month-over-month, ending a three-month consecutive decline. Haval and Chery led the rebound, driven by systematic adjustments in product mix, channel strategy, and pricing mechanisms.
In April 2025, Russia's new vehicle sales grew 15.1% year-on-year, continuing a steady recovery trend. Chinese brands now command over 50% of the market share as their operating models transition from pure CBU exports to localized KD assembly. This report analyzes the drivers behind the market recovery and offers practical advice on localization and payment settlements for exporters.
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