Russian New-Bus Sales Recover in September but Remain Below 2025 Level
Russia recorded sales of 838 new buses in September 2026, up 17.3% from August but down 11.5% year on year. Nine-month sales declined 4.4% to 6,599 units, even as several leading models posted strong gains.
September sales rebound from August
Russia's new-bus market recorded 838 sales in September 2026, representing a 17.3% increase from August but an 11.5% contraction from September 2025, according to figures reported by Infox.ru. The publication cited data from the Autostat analytical agency, based on information from JSC PPK and carried by MiraNews.
The monthly improvement indicates a recovery in purchasing activity after August, but it was not sufficient to bring the market back to its year-earlier level. The broader trend also remained negative: 6,599 new buses were sold in Russia during the first nine months of 2026, down 4.4% from the corresponding period of 2025.
The difference between the September and nine-month comparisons shows that the year-on-year decline intensified during the latest reported month. For manufacturers and fleet operators, the figures point to an uneven replacement cycle in which monthly procurement can rise sharply without reversing the underlying annual contraction.
Three leading models post double-digit growth
The PAZ-3204 was Russia's best-selling new bus model in September, with 177 units sold. Its volume increased 32.1% from the same month of 2025, according to Infox.ru.
The NEFAZ-5299 ranked second with 105 vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 47.9%. The LIAZ Citymax 12 completed the top three with sales of 92 buses, up 76.9% from September 2025. These gains contrast with the overall market decline and suggest that demand was concentrated around a limited group of models.
Together, the three leading models accounted for 374 buses, or nearly 45% of the 838 vehicles sold during the month. Their performance also indicates that individual product lines can expand rapidly even when total fleet investment remains under pressure.
PAZ retains brand lead despite lower volume
PAZ remained the largest bus brand in Russia in September, selling 311 vehicles and taking a 37% market share. However, its sales were 22.1% lower than a year earlier. The divergence between PAZ's overall brand performance and the growth of the PAZ-3204 shows that gains from the leading model did not offset weaker demand elsewhere in the company's range.
LIAZ ranked second with 126 buses sold, twice its September 2025 result. NEFAZ placed third with 105 units. China's Yutong entered the top five with 79 vehicles, while KAMAZ sold 60 buses.
The ranking underscores the strong position of Russian manufacturers in their home market, with PAZ, LIAZ, NEFAZ and KAMAZ all appearing among the five leading brands. Yutong's presence also shows that Chinese suppliers continue to compete for Russian fleet orders, although the reported September volume remained below those of the three largest domestic brands.
Public programs support fleet renewal
Government-backed fleet replacement remains one source of demand. Infox.ru reported, citing Russia's Ministry of Transport, that 614 buses were delivered to Russian regions under ministry programs during 2026. The source did not specify the delivery period within the year or how many of those vehicles were reflected in September registrations.
For bus producers and component suppliers, the timing and allocation of public procurement will remain important because regional orders can materially affect monthly model and brand rankings. The September data show a market with improving short-term momentum, but the year-on-year and nine-month declines indicate that demand has yet to establish a sustained expansion compared with 2025.