Sales of new passenger cars in Belarus in May 2022 fell by 83%, or almost 6 times, compared to May last year – to 629 cars, reported the Belarusian Automobile Association (BAA). Compared to April this year, sales in May decreased by 30%.

In January-May this year, 10.6 thousand new cars were sold in Belarus, which is 41% less compared to the same period last year, the report said.

“This result is due to a significant change in prices for most popular models, as well as the deterioration of credit conditions,” reads the report.

The BAA explains that in recent years, more than 70% of sales of the Belarusian market accounted for cars produced in Russia. Starting from March this year, manufacturers raised shipping prices from 40% to 70%. Later, there was a strengthening of the Russian ruble, which led to a cumulative increase in prices for Belarusian dealers by almost 2 times.

According to the BAA, such a trend is typical not only for Belarus, but also for the automobile markets of Russia and Kazakhstan. Experts of the association believe that the situation will worsen. “Given the fact that most automobile plants in Russia have stopped production, buyers in Belarus may face a shortage of cars already in the coming months,” the report says.