MINSK, 28 January (BelTA) – Experts of the Belarusian Automobile Association (BAA) forecast further growth in the share of electric vehicles in Belarus’ sales structure in 2026, Sergei Varivoda, Director of Avtocenter on MKAD and Chairman of the BAA Board, said at the press conference “Taking stock of Belarus’ Automotive Industry in 2025. Awarding the winners of the Car of the Year contest”, BelTA has learned.
According to Sergei Varivoda, the momentum will primarily be driven by imports made by individuals. At the same time, the share of hybrid vehicles will decline, as their taxation has nearly equaled that of cars with internal combustion engines.
Overall, experts believe that the development of the automotive market will slow down. Most likely, stabilization will occur at the 2025 level: around 160,000 vehicles. Growth in dealer sales will only be possible through redistribution from individuals to legal entities, including local manufacturers.
“Certain brands will leave the market. At the same time, we expect continued growth of domestic car production, as well as the recovery of imports from the Union State, due to reduced imports from outside the Eurasian Economic Union,” Sergei Varivoda noted.
As for prices, with a stable national currency exchange rate, they will remain under pressure from demand. “This will ensure relative stability, at least in the first half of the year,” he said.
Summing up last year, Sergei Varivoda emphasized that BAA member dealers again achieved sales of about 50,000 new passenger cars. Similar figures were previously reached three times: in 2018, 2019, and 2024.
In general, the passenger car market (domestic production and imports through all channels) grew. Contributing factors included rising real household incomes, increased consumer lending (including auto loans) and financial leasing, as well as price stabilization in Belarusian rubles. At certain periods, including the end of the year, anticipatory demand also played a role, as citizens purchased cars ahead of changes in import conditions.
Among the negative factors affecting official dealer sales, Sergei Varivoda cited the unjustified commercial use of benefits granted for importing cars for personal use, and significant changes in recycling fee rates.
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