The automotive market is bracing for a storm. If the sales trends from the first three weeks of March are any indication, the spring of 2025 could see a staggering 40% drop in new car sales compared to the same period last year. The winds of change are blowing, and they’re favoring the humble, budget-friendly used car—preferably those priced under 1 million rubles. As one industry insider put it, “The era of flashy new rides might be taking a backseat.”
While new cars face a steep decline, the used car market is holding its ground like a seasoned marathon runner. According to experts, the secondary market offers a more predictable pricing structure, free from the wild fluctuations and inflated expectations that plague new car sales. Stability is the name of the game here, and it’s a game that used cars are winning—at least for now.
Several factors are steering this market transformation:
Industry forecasts paint a sobering picture. Monthly new car sales are expected to hover around 100,000 units this spring, a far cry from the 135,000 units sold monthly in 2024. Meanwhile, the used car market is expected to mirror the demand-supply curves of its new counterpart, albeit with a steadier hand.
In the end, the automotive market is a reflection of broader economic tides. As new cars struggle to stay afloat, used cars are proving to be the lifeboats many buyers are clinging to. Whether this trend holds or shifts remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the road ahead is anything but smooth.
