Russian car dealers have approached the Federal Antimonopoly Service with a proposal to ban automakers and distributors from selling cars directly to customers online, bypassing dealerships. According to the dealers, such sales could undermine competition and leave buyers without the usual service and warranties.
Online sales are already developing in Russia: for example, Tank, Ora, and Wey vehicles from Great Wall Motor can be ordered through a mobile app, and AvtoVAZ has sold over 6,500 cars via its online showroom. However, even in these cases, vehicle delivery and subsequent servicing are still carried out through dealerships.
Dealers fear that if manufacturers start selling cars directly, it could lead to the imposition of unfavorable terms, deliveries of hard-to-sell models, and other market risks. As an alternative to a complete ban, dealers propose applying online sales requirements to all market participants, not just automakers.
Experts believe that in the near future, automakers will not be able to completely abandon dealers: dealership centers ensure vehicle delivery and service. Nevertheless, the share of online sales will continue to grow, and manufacturers will face new organizational challenges — as many buyers still value the ability to see and test a car in person, rather than just choosing it online.
