At present, competition on Russian used car export tracks is becoming increasingly fierce, and the industry is showing a clear trend of differentiation. Many practitioners are affected by category selection, and their operating pressure is gradually increasing. Some merchants rely on accurate product selection and layout to maintain stable operations. With the implementation and adjustment of relevant policies in 2026, the entire industry pattern will be further reshaped. The key to gaining a firm foothold in this market is not whether to enter the game, but whether to find the right track to avoid the pressure brought by homogeneous competition.

1. Current situation of the industry: In which areas are competitive pressures mainly concentrated

At present, the operating difficulties in the field of traditional fuel used vehicles are particularly prominent, which is also the core reason for the intensified competition in the industry. Russia continues to adjust its tax rules, and indicators such as vehicle service life, displacement, and horsepower will affect comprehensive operating costs. Vehicles that have been in use for more than five years will incur additional import taxes and fees. Higher user-related taxes and fees will also be imposed on high-horsepower and large-displacement models. The profit margins of the old scooter models that were in circulation in the past have now been greatly reduced. At many domestic ports, there is a situation of concentrated supply of goods and convergence of quotations. Many practitioners concentrate on the layout of affordable fuel vehicles of the same type, and purchasers have sufficient choice space and strong bargaining power. Practitioners who lack fixed cooperation channels and rely only on scattered orders can easily fall into a passive position. Coupled with periodic fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, some conventional models often experience meager returns, and many small and medium-sized practitioners choose to withdraw from the market. At the same time, domestic management rules for used car exports continue to be implemented. Models with vehicle registration less than 180 days need to improve relevant procedures before they can be exported. The previous business model relying on the circulation of new cars is no longer applicable, and a large number of goods are flocking to the traditional fuel vehicle category, further intensifying competition in this field.

2. Quality business direction in 2026 to avoid homogeneous competition

Second-hand domestic new energy vehicles

New energy vehicles enjoy a friendly tax policy in Russia, and some import taxes and fees can be waived. They only need to pay basic transfer fees and do not have to bear high additional taxes related to fuel vehicles. Local individual consumers can also apply for special car purchase subsidies when purchasing compliant second-hand new energy vehicles, and the market circulation atmosphere is good.

Domestic brands such as BYD, Geely, and Ai 'an have a high degree of recognition for quasi-new new energy models within three years, and the market performance of vehicles optimized for low-temperature areas such as Siberia has become even more eye-catching. At present, the supply of similar imported new energy vehicles overseas is limited, and the competitive atmosphere in this category is relatively relaxed, making it a relatively stable business direction.

Domestic small-displacement quasi-new fuel vehicles within three years

Combined with local rules, a quasi-new model within three years with a horsepower of no more than 160 and a displacement in the range of 1.5L-1.8L will have more advantages in comprehensive landing costs. Affected by domestic export regulations, the supply of new vehicles in compliance has remained stable, while the supply of new vehicles in Russia is insufficient and the prices are high. Such family cars and compact SUVs in good condition have stable market demand.

Practitioners can flexibly deploy according to regional differences: the Moscow market prefers mid-to-high-end family cars with outstanding quality; St. Petersburg focuses on cost-effective scooters; Siberia and the Far East prefer four-wheel drive models with strong throughput and stable performance, relying on differentiated layout to escape price competition.

In 2026, Russia's used car export market has bid farewell to the stage of extensive development, and the overall market stratification has become clearer. Traditional old fuel-vehicle tracks are fiercely competitive and operating difficulties continue to increase, while new energy and compliant new small-displacement models still have good room for development. By selecting products based on policy requirements and regional needs and building stable cooperation channels, practitioners can find suitable development paths amid market changes.

The content of this article is original sharing, and everyone is welcome to read and communicate. Please indicate the source for reprinting, and thank you for your respect and support for the original content. The published content is only used for industry popularization and reference, and does not provide any express or implied guarantee of the accuracy and integrity of the content. If there is any graphic infringement, please let us know and we will deal with it as soon as possible. Thank you!