Finance
Mazda climbs to sixth place in Russian car sales after scrappage fee change
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 4, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 4, 2026
Quick Summary
Mazda, despite exiting Russia in 2022, surged to sixth place in January–February 2026 sales with 4,871 units—up from 338 a year earlier—benefiting from new Russian scrappage fees that favor smaller-engine imports like the CX‑5 via third-country channels, notably China.
Mazda Jumps to Sixth Place in Russian Car Sales After Fee Changes
Revival of Mazda in the Russian Automotive Market
Background: Mazda's Exit and Return
March 4 (Reuters) - Japan's Mazda, which exited Russia in 2022, is seeing a revival as one of the country's best-selling car brands thanks to new Russian scrappage charges that have shifted import patterns via third countries.
Sales Surge and Market Position
Data from Russian analytical agency Autostat shows Mazda climbing to sixth place with 4,871 vehicles sold in January–February, up from 338 in the same period of 2025.
Top-Selling Models and Fee Advantages
Its CX-5 model was the top seller among imported cars with smaller, lower-output engines that qualify for much lower scrappage fees than those imposed on larger vehicles.
Impacts of Scrappage Fee Changes
Mazda pulled out of Russia in 2022 after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, and last year lost its right to buy back its 50% stake in a manufacturing joint venture in Vladivostok.
Reuters has requested comment from the company, which has previously said third-party sales are outside its control.
Import Patterns and Market Dynamics
Tens of thousands of cars made by foreign companies that quit Russia are still entering via third countries - mainly China - without the manufacturers' consent.
Fee Structure and Consumer Preferences
Import trends have shifted since December 1 when the scrappage fee for powerful and expensive cars, imported by individuals for personal use, rose by hundreds of percent. The change has sharply boosted the appeal of smaller cars, which were not similarly affected.
Overall Russian Car Market Trends
Autostat said on Wednesday that car sales in Russia rose 2.5% year-on-year in February to 80,027 vehicles. Toyota, in ninth place, is the only other top-10 brand not from China, Russia or Belarus.
(Reporting by Gleb Stolyarov. Editing by Mark Trevelyan and Mark Potter)
Key Takeaways
- •Mazda sales in Russia jumped dramatically in early 2026, from 338 to 4,871 units year-on-year, ranking sixth overall and led by the CX‑5 model under scrappage‑fee‑friendly engine thresholds.
- •Russia’s December 1, 2025 scrappage‑fee reform sharply raised charges on powerful imports but retained low fees for vehicles under 160 hp—driving a shift to smaller‑engine models via grey‑market imports from China and beyond.
- •Tens of thousands of vehicles from foreign brands that exited Russia continue entering via third countries, with China a primary conduit; these are sold as used or parallel imports outside manufacturers’ control.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mazda climbs to sixth place in Russian car sales after scrappage fee change
1Why did Mazda climb in Russian car sales rankings?
Mazda's sales grew in Russia due to new scrappage fees that favor imported cars with smaller engines, boosting the appeal of models like the CX-5.
2What is the impact of the new Russian scrappage fees?
The new scrappage fees sharply increased costs for importing powerful and expensive cars, shifting demand to smaller, lower-output vehicles.
3How many Mazda vehicles were sold in Russia in early 2025?
4,871 Mazda vehicles were sold in Russia during January–February, a significant rise from 338 units in the same period the previous year.
4Are foreign car brands still available in Russia?
Yes, cars from foreign brands are still entering Russia via third countries, mainly China, despite manufacturers having exited the market.
5Which Mazda model is the top seller among imported cars in Russia?
The Mazda CX-5 was the top-selling imported model with small, lower-output engines qualifying for lower scrappage fees.
