The share of Chinese cars in Russian taxi fleets could reach 75% if the State Duma approves a localization bill. However, Chinese vehicles have sparked disagreements among drivers and experts due to concerns about their less reliable engines.
Over the past year, the share of Chinese cars in domestic taxi fleets has significantly increased and now stands at over 30%. Brands like Cherry, Haval, and Changan are the most popular among taxi drivers. However, opinions about them vary due to limited operational experience.
Nevertheless, many taxi drivers speak highly of “Chinese cars.” Surveys show that they prefer them when choosing vehicles for their fleets. In the near future, the number of Chinese cars in taxi fleets across the country is expected to continue rising.
If the taxi localization law is finally adopted by the State Duma, the main car manufacturers for taxi fleets will be Haval, Evolute, Moskvich, and AvtoVAZ. This means that approximately 75% of taxi fleets will use Chinese technologies, according to experts interviewed by “Parlamentskaya Gazeta.”
According to them, the bill, which allows regions to independently set requirements for the level of car localization in taxis, was passed by the State Duma in January 2024 in the first reading. This will support the Russian automotive industry and create new jobs. However, it is unclear when the bill will be considered in the second reading.
The Interregional Union “Taxi Driver” predicts an increase in the share of Chinese cars in taxi fleets to 60-70% if Russian manufacturers do not take any revolutionary steps.
Many taxi drivers are already facing problems related to the short lifespan of Chinese car engines, which typically last 120-150 thousand kilometers. And this is not just an issue with individual models but the entire Chinese automotive industry.
Another significant aspect is the price. “Chinese cars” are constantly becoming more expensive as they gain popularity in the Russian market. Experts believe this will lead to increased costs for updating taxi fleets, as there are no factories in Russia to produce spare parts.
Taxi fares could increase by 30% during this year if the situation does not change.
Photo: changanauto.ru