Sep 03 2016

In 2016, the average age of cars in the Far Eastern Federal District exceeded the 20-year mark. If this pattern continues, the Russian Far East may overtake Cuba, where the average age of cars is close to 40 years, and the vehicles resemble operating museum exhibits.

According to the Federal Customs Service, car imports to Russia from Japan alone declined tenfold over the eight years. Nearly 300,000 used cars were imported in the first six months of 2007, compared to just over 30,000 imported during the same period in 2015.

Despite the protective measures imposed by Russia for the revival of the domestic auto industry, there are no visible results of this policy in the Far East. Right-hand drive cars still prevail on local roads. In Khabarovsk, Yakutsk, Magadan, Vladivostok, Sakhalin and Kamchatka, and even in Chukotka, this is evident to all visitors as soon as they leave the airport. It looks unusual, but for the local population, right-hand-drive cars, mostly Japanese, are the norm

Russia-manufactured automobiles are more of an exception, especially in private hands. In the Far East, Russian-made cars belong mostly to various state organizations, joint stock companies partially owned by the government, military agencies and assorted operational government agencies.