Kaiyi is leaving the Russian market after three years, with responsibility for warranty and repair services for nearly 22,000 vehicles moving to a different company. From May 1, 2026, KAI RUS, Kaiyi’s Russian distributor, transferred those obligations to Votur Motor Rus, which distributes Jetour and Soueast. The change effectively confirms Kaiyi’s departure, according to the report.
Kaiyi entered Russia in March 2023 with the E5 sedan, assembled at Avtotor’s plant in Kaliningrad. Its dealer price was 1.959 million rubles. The model was promoted as one of the country’s cheapest sedans in its class and adapted for Russian conditions, including reinforced suspension, added corrosion protection and an engine compatible with A92 gasoline. Kaiyi expanded its locally assembled lineup with the X3, X3 Pro and X7 Kunlun crossovers. About 6,000 cars had reached dealerships within two months of sales beginning.
The retreat followed a sharp decline in activity. Assembly at Avtotor stopped in 2025. Russian buyers purchased just 49 Kaiyi vehicles in the first quarter of 2026, down 94.6% year on year, while dealers had 38 cars in stock. Kaiyi sold close to 22,000 vehicles in Russia during its time there.
The company says warranties on cars bought from authorized dealers remain valid, dealer service agreements are being renewed and parts supply will continue. More than 60 Chinese brands are competing in Russia, many with low sales. The report also cites Skywell’s 2025 exit, weak early-2026 sales for SWM and BAIC’s decision to invest in its Russian distribution network.