With the exit of many Western car manufacturers in 2022, Russia’s automotive industry went through a significant shift. Brands that once dominated the market disappeared almost overnight, creating a gap that Chinese automakers quickly filled and strengthened domestic manufacturers. What followed was not a collapse, but a slow and steady rebuild.
By 2024, the Russian auto market showed clear signs of recovery, with vehicle sales crossing 1.36 million units, according to industry estimates. This rebound came despite ongoing sanctions and supply chain challenges. In 2025, the market continues to stabilise, driven mainly by Chinese brands, local production, and renewed consumer demand for affordable vehicles.
Today, Russia’s automotive landscape is a mix of long-standing Soviet-era names, newer Russian manufacturers, and fast-growing Chinese companies that have set up local assembly and distribution networks. The focus has shifted toward practical, budget-friendly cars and SUVs that meet everyday needs rather than luxury or premium segments.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the top 10 automotive companies in Russia, highlighting the brands that are currently shaping the market and playing a key role in the country’s automotive recovery.
2025 Russian Automotive Market – Key Data
- Total Russian new car sales: Around 1.13 million vehicles (Jan-Oct 2025), down 20.4% year-on-year.
- BEV sales: 9,643 units in the first 10 months of 2025.
- Domestic brand highlights: LADA, GAZ, and UAZ were among the best-selling domestic LCV brands.
- Market trend: Continued contraction with some EV niches gaining slight momentum.
Key Factors Driving Russian Automotive Growth
- Chinese Investment and Partnership – Explosive influx of Chinese auto manufacturers setting up operations.
- Government Support Measures – State subsidies, import substitution laws, and protection rules.
- Localization Programs – Establishment of local component production and supply networks.
- Economic Recovery – Stabilizing the situation in the market despite the international sanctions and difficulties.
- Development of infrastructure – The multiplication of dealer networks and service facilities throughout the country.
Comparison Table: Top Automotive Companies in Russia (2026)
| Rank | Company | Founded | Vehicle Type Focus | 2024–2025 Market Position | Best Known For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AvtoVAZ (LADA) | 1966 | Passenger cars, SUVs, LCVs | Market leader; 436,000+ vehicles sold in 2024; strong LCV presence in 2025 | Affordable, durable cars for Russian conditions |
| 2 | Evolute (Motorinvest) | 2022 | Electric vehicles | Among top 5 EV brands in Russia (2025) | Domestic electric sedans and SUVs |
| 3 | PAZ (Pavlovo Bus Factory) | 1969 | Buses, commercial vehicles | Part of 67,325 LCV/minibus sales (Jan–Oct 2025) | Public transport and heavy-duty vehicles |
| 4 | UAZ | 1941 | Off-road vehicles, SUVs, LCVs | 9,116 LCV units sold (Jan–Oct 2025) | Rugged off-road and military vehicles |
| 5 | Combat Armoring Group | 1998 | Electric & armored vehicles | Limited-volume EV producer | Specialized armored and electric vehicles |
| 6 | Aurus Motors | 2018 | Luxury vehicles | Niche, low-volume production | Ultra-luxury limousines and SUVs |
| 7 | Avtotor | 1996 | Vehicle assembly | Key assembler of Chinese brands | Local assembly for Dongfeng, BAIC, Kaiyi |
| 8 | Sollers | 2005 | Commercial vehicles, pickups | 2,036 pickups sold (Jan–Oct 2025) | Fleet vehicles and joint ventures |
| 9 | NAMI | 1979 | Automotive R&D | Government-backed research institute | Automotive innovation and Aurus development |
| 10 | Moskvitch | 1960 | Auto components & parts | Key supply-chain player | Engines, transmissions, electrical systems |
Top 10 Automotive Companies in Russia (2026)
1. AvtoVAZ (LADA)
- Founded: 1966
- Customer Ratings: 4.2/5
- Global Presence: Russia, CIS countries, Eastern Europe
AvtoVAZ has a strong brand, LADA, which continued to lead the market selling more than 436,000 vehicles in 2024, making it one of the best automotive companies in Russia. The company is the biggest manufacturer of passenger cars in Russia, and it produces high-quality, durable vehicles that are engineered to perform well under extreme conditions. Between January and October 2025, LADA sold 12,622 LCV units, with LADA’s share holding a significant presence in the commercial vehicle segment. The strength of the brand is based on decades of experience in the production of vehicles that might be customized to the infrastructure and climate in Russia.
Key Products:
- LADA Granta – Leader in sales in the country in the segment of compact sedans.
- LADA Niva – Mythic all-terrain capable SUV.
- LADA Vesta – The modern family sedan platform.
Best: Customers with a tight budget and in need of quality transportation.
Website: https://www.ladarymco.com/index.php
2. Evolute (Motorinvest)
- Founded: 2022
- Customer Ratings: 3.9/5
- Global Presence: Russia
The first domestic electric vehicles brand in Russia is called Evolute and is produced by Motorinvest on the plant in Lipetsk Region, making it a notable name in the list of automotive companies in Russia. The brand began production in September 2022, and had a capacity to manufacture more than 100,000 electric vehicles every year. Evolute made 1,226 sales in 2024 based on Chinese Dongfeng and Sokon platforms but modified to local Russian conditions. The firm has spent more than 13 billion rubles to build the electric vehicle infrastructure and localizing technology of Russia. Electric vehicles overall remained a small share of the Russian market (9,643 BEVs Jan-Oct 2025), but Evolute registered in the top-5 best-selling BEVs during this period.
Key Products:
- Evolute i-Pro – Electric small sedan.
- Evolute i-Joy – SUV electric crossover.
- Evolute i-Sky – Mid size electric crossover.
Best to: The environmentally-conscious city customers and fleet owners.
Website: www.motorinvest.ru
3. PAZ (Pavlovo Bus Factory)
- Founded: 1969
- Customer Ratings: 4.3/5
- Global Presence: Russia, CIS, Middle East, Africa
PAZ has its office in Naberezhnye Chelny and is also famous in cab over trucks, making it an important name in the list of automotive companies in Russia. In the first 10 months of 2025, light commercial vehicles and minibuses (including bus brands like PAZ) sold 67,325 units in Russia, a decrease of about 21.7% year-on-year. The company has been able to gain legendary status in motorsports where it has won the Dakar Rally eighteen times. PAZ trucks have also gained recognition of being sturdy in harsh operational environments and also crucial in the Russian infrastructure, construction, and military activities.
Key Products:
- Long-haul transport vehicles.
- Factory motors.
- High passenger transportation.
Ideal Applications: The heavy industry and long-distance transportation.
Website: https://paz-bus.ru/
4. UAZ
- Founded: 1941
- Customer Ratings: 4.1/5
- Global Presence: Russia, CIS, Eastern Europe, Middle East
UAZ is located in Ulyanovsk and produces off-road vehicles, buses, and trucks, and became a part of the Sollers automotive group in 2000, making it one of the notable names in the list of automotive companies in Russia. The brand is exceptionally well known by the UAZ-469 utility vehicle, which has been widely adopted in the military. According to data covering January–October 2025, UAZ sold 9,116 LCV units, marking a decline of about 38% year-on-year. The UAZ vehicles have gained fame due to being rugged, simple, and capable of passing virtually any type of terrain, and this has made them famous among off-road lovers the world over.
Key Products:
- UAZ Hunter Off-road Utility – classic vehicle.
- UAZ Patriot – Modern mid-size SUV.
- UAZ business vehicles – Light trucks vans.
Best In World: Off-road lovers and rural users.
Website: https://uazh.com/
5. Combat Armoring Group
- Founded: 1998
- Customer Ratings: 3.9/5
- Global Presence: Russia
Combat Armoring Group’s first domestic electric brand, manufactured by Motorinvest, is called Combat Armoring Group and produced in their plant in the Lipetsk Region. The brand began its production in September 2022, having the capacity to manufacture more than 100,000 electric vehicles in a year. Combat Armoring Group sold 1,226 vehicles in 2024 based on Chinese Dongfeng and Sokon but modified to fit Russian conditions. The company has also funded more than 13 billion rubles on the development of the electric vehicle infrastructure and localization of technology in Russia.
Key Products:
- Compact electric sedan
- Electric crossover SUV
- Mid-size electric crossover
Best Suited to: Urban customers that are environmentally aware and fleet operators.
Website: https://www.combatag.com/
6. Aurus Motors
- Founded: 2018
- Customer Ratings: 4.8/5
- Global Presence: Russia, UAE, selective international markets
Aurus Motors is a Russian luxury car manufacturer that was initially created to be the state brand of car used by the president, and it is now counted among the best automotive companies in Russia. It was produced at the Sollers JSC factory in Yelabuga, Tatarstan starting in May 2021. These cars are a combination of NAMI, Porsche, and Bosch to develop the powertrain. Aurus is the gesture of Russia to compete in the luxury market using high-quality materials, modern technology, and original Russian design code.
Key Products:
- Aurus Senat – Full-size limo sedan.
- Aurus Komendant – Full-size luxury SUV.
- Aurus Arsenal – Luxury armored van.
Best To: Ultra-luxury customers and government elites.
Website: http://www.aurus-motors.ru/
7. Avtotor
- Founded: 1996
- Customer Ratings: 3.8/5
- Global Presence: Russia
Avtotor is based in Kaliningrad Oblast, and it was opened in 1996 by investors headed by Vladimir Scherbakov. It was ranked as one of the biggest car manufacturers and assemblers globally by 2008. The plant had a history of assembling vehicles, where BMW, Kia, and Chevrolet were also included in their list of global brands. After exiting the Western market, Avtotor started producing Chinese brands such as Dongfeng, BAIC, and Kaiyi vehicles.
Key Products:
- Assembling Chinese brands – Dongfeng commercial vehicles.
- Electric vehicle developments – Domestic EV development.
- Contract manufacturing – Assembly services partners.
Bestseller: Chinese brand consumers in Russia.
Website: https://www.avtotor.ru/
8. Sollers
- Founded: 2005 (as Severstal-Auto)
- Customer Ratings: 3.9/5
- Global Presence: Russia
Sollers is a Russian enterprise that possesses majority stakes in the shares of UAZ, Zavolzhye Motor Works, and other car manufacturing companies, securing a strong place in the list of automotive companies in Russia. The company has entered into joint ventures with other global manufacturers such as Ford, Isuzu, and Mazda. In the first 10 months of 2025, Sollers pickup sales reached 2,036 units (down 14% year-on-year). Sollers is a very important player in the automobile ecosystem in Russia, both as a producer and as a collaborator in a number of assembly and production projects, including the presence at Aurus luxury vehicles.
Key Products:
- UAZ vehicles – SUVs, trucks, off-road.
- Light medium trucks, Commercial vehicle production.
- Joint venture production – Assembly alliances.
Best Use: Fleet operators in business.
Website: https://www.sollers-auto.com/
9. NAMI
- Founded: 1979
- Customer Ratings: 4.3/5
- Global Presence: Russia
Central Scientific Research Automobile and Automotive Engines Institute is one of the oldest automotive research institutes in the world. NAMI is not a mass-market producer, but an institution of state-owned research and development, which makes the most progressive automotive technologies in Russia. The institute designs prototypes, engineering solutions, experimental vehicles, such as the Aurus luxury brand, and a range of projects related to the entire Russian automotive industry, supported by the government.
Key Products:
- High technology car research – Prototypes engineering solutions.
- Aurus development – Luxury car technologies.
- Automotive projects of the government – State vehicles programs.
Best For: Technology development in the industry.
Website: https://www.nami.org/
10. Moskvitch
- Founded: 1960
- Customer Ratings: 3.7/5
- Global Presence: Russia
Moskvitch is a major Russian manufacturer and performer of automotive components and supplies to the local and foreign markets. Though not a car maker, the company is a critical part of the Russian automobile supply chain as it manufactures key parts and components used by major automotive companies in Russia. The company has been flexible to the shocks of the supply chain through increasing domestic production capacity and coming up with an import substitution for important automobile parts.
Key Products:
- Parts, automotive engines – Engine parts.
- Transmission systems – Gearbox and drive train parts.
- Electrical systems – Wiring assembles electronic components.
Best On: Aftermarket and OEM supply.
Website: https://moskvich.ru/
Conclusion
The Russian automotive sector has shown tremendous strength and flexibility in the turbulent history of its activities. The shift from Western to Chinese collaborations and the increased domestic production have produced a new market environment. Automotive companies in Russia are on the road to long-term growth with the help of the government, localization, and strategic alliances. The future of the market is characterized by such challenges as a shortage of labor, inflation, and technological gaps. Yet, there are also opportunities in electric cars, business transportation, and new market development.
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FAQs
What became of Western car brands in Russia?
In the wake of the 2022 conflict in Ukraine, the majority of Western, Japanese, and American automakers halted their operations. It withdrew from Russia, selling its interests or shutting down its activities permanently.
Can Russian cars be exported to the international market?
Yes, some automotive companies in Russia such as LADA, UAZ, and KamAZ export cars to CIS nations as well as Eastern Europe and Middle East as well as to some markets, nevertheless, despite the sanctions worldwide.
What has the entry of the Chinese done to the automotive industry in Russia?
In Russia, Chinese manufacturers have taken more than 54 percent of new car sales and such brands as Haval, Chery, and Geely have built a large network of dealers and partners.
What is the image of the Russian-made cars in terms of quality?
Automotive companies in Russia are considered to be durable, simple and inexpensive, not luxurious or highly sophisticated, but meant to survive in extreme climates and overcome difficult roads.
