An archive photo
MINSK, 4 September (BelTA) – Sales of new cars in Belarus increased by 16.9% in January-August, the Belarusian Automobile Association (BAA) told BelTA.
Dealer sales of new passenger cars amounted to 4,226 units in August, reflecting a month-over-month decrease of 2.7% and a year-over-year decrease of 8%. Conversely, cumulative dear sales for the January-August period show robust growth, up 16.9% year-over-year. The association noted that these mixed signals suggest a shifting trend in dealer sales that began this summer. They forecast that year-end results will likely show negative monthly comparisons and a deceleration in the annual growth rate. However, total annual sales are still projected to be on par with the previous year.
According to the BAA, August sales highlight the significant impact of new recycling fees on imported vehicles, which took effect on 10 February 2025. In August the market share of domestically produced passenger cars rose by 5.5% year-on-year to 54.4% of dealer car sales. In stark contrast, sales of imported Chinese-brand cars, including those assembled in Russia, plummeted, falling fivefold to just 1% of the total market.
Imports from outside the Eurasian Economic Union – dominated by Chinese manufacturers – saw their market share increase significantly over the year, rising from 15.6% to 23%. In contrast, national brands imported from the Russian Federation experienced an 8% decline, reducing their share to 21%.
“Disparate import regulations, particularly recycling fee rates based on powertrain, are driving a rapid shift toward green vehicles. The market share of these cars rose significantly, from 8.1% in August 2024 to 21.5% in August 2025. This growth has directly corresponded with a decrease in the share of hybrid and internal combustion engine vehicles in dealer sales,” the BAA noted.
Follow us on:
