Compared prices of cars of Belarusian and Russian production in Belarus and Russia. The difference will surprise you.
The Lada brand ranks second in terms of new car sales volume in Belarus. Russian cars are only less popular than Belarusian-Chinese Geely/Belgee. We looked at which country these cars are sold cheaper in.
Belgee cars. Photo: belgee.by
Belarus vs Russia
According to the results of the first quarter of 2025, Belgee/Geely brands occupied 42% of the new car market in Belarus, while Lada accounted for 33% of sales.
Prices for Russian Lada cars in Belarus start from 33,700 rubles (about $11,200) for a Lada Granta sedan in basic configuration on steel wheels.
Screenshot: minsk-lada.by
In Russia, prices for cars in a similar configuration start from 1.05 million Russian rubles (about $12,700).
Screenshot: avtogermes.lada.ru
The difference is about $1500. It turns out that a Russian car is sold cheaper in Belarus than in Russia.
The same applies to Lada Vesta, which accounted for 51% of Lada sales in Belarus last year. While prices for a comfort trim sedan at dealers in Minsk start from 46,090 rubles (about $15,300), a similar car in Moscow is sold for 1.5 million Russian rubles (about $18,600). The price difference is more than 20%.
What about prices for Geely/Belgee?
In Belarus, the Belgee x50 crossover is available at a price starting from 66,000 rubles (about $22,000).
Prices for Belgee x50 in Belarus. Screenshot: geely-minsk.by
In Russia, Belarusian-Chinese crossovers are sold at prices starting from 1.97 million Russian rubles, which is about 24 thousand dollars. That is, $2000 or about 10% more expensive than in Belarus.
Price for Belgee x50 in Moscow. Screenshot: avtomir.ru
How is this possible?
According to Jan Khaitser, Vice President of the National Automobile Union of Russia, Lada cars in Belarus are cheaper than in Russia because our market is significantly more competitive than the Russian one. AvtoVAZ has to make significant concessions to attract buyers.
"For AvtoVAZ, the Belarusian buyer is a very important client, and the company is fighting for its place in the market. The difference is significant: it can reach 300-400 thousand Russian rubles ($3400-$4500 — NN)," the expert clarified.
Among other reasons, they also name Decree 140, which allows cars from third countries to be imported into Belarus with a 50% customs duty discount, as well as the difference in the calculation of the recycling fee. In other words, a used VW Passat, which can be imported from Europe, also creates additional competition for new car sellers. The situation in the Russian market is slightly different — local dealers do not have such market levers to curb prices.
So, is it profitable for Russians to go to Belarus for new cars?
At first glance, yes. Indeed, Russians can buy new cars in Belarus. However, registering them in Russia without additional costs will not be possible due to different requirements.
And if a Russian buyer fulfills all conditions for registration in their home country, the savings will almost disappear.
Thus, although new cars at Belarusian dealers are cheaper, they are de facto intended only for local buyers.