The volume of passenger car imports to Ukraine, including cargo-passenger vans and race cars (UKT ZED code 8703), amounted to $2.18 billion in January–June 2026, which is 14.6% less than the figure for the first half of 2025 ($2.554 billion).
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service of Ukraine, imports of passenger cars in June, in particular, fell by 6.8% compared to June of last year, but rose by 16.9% compared to May 2026—to $468.12 million.
The top three suppliers of passenger cars to Ukraine for January–June have consistently been the United States, Germany, and Japan, while in the previous year these were the same countries, but Germany was the largest exporter, followed by the United States and Japan.
Specifically, car imports from the United States declined slightly to $417.9 million, while those from Germany fell by 26.7% to $347.6 million; imports from Japan, however, rose by 3.4% to $302.5 million.
Imports of passenger cars from other countries during this period totaled $1.11 billion—18.7% less than last year’s figure.
At the same time, over the six-month period, Ukraine exported only $1.38 million worth of such vehicles, whereas last year, total exports to the UAE, Poland, and the Czech Republic amounted to $3.49 million.
Passenger cars accounted for 4.43% of total goods imports into Ukraine in the first half of the year, compared to 6.67% during the same period last year; their share of total exports was 0.01% and 0.02%, respectively.
As previously reported, in 2025, passenger cars worth nearly $6.15 billion were imported into Ukraine, which is 40.2% more than in 2024. The top three exporters were the United States, Germany, and China. Car exports totaled $10.1 million (2.7 times less).
The significant increase in passenger car imports to Ukraine in the final months of 2025 was driven by news that VAT exemptions on electric vehicle imports would be abolished as of January 1, 2026, whereas imports had declined significantly since the beginning of the current year. However, starting in March, a slow but steady recovery of the passenger car market—including electric vehicles—began.
In the first half of 2026, Ukrainians purchased 111,500 used passenger cars imported from abroad, which is 2% less than in the same period of 2025, according to a report by “Ukravtoprom” on its Telegram channel.
Gasoline-powered cars accounted for the largest share of this segment of the auto market, increasing their share by 11 percentage points compared to January–June 2025, to 58%.
Next came diesel cars at 20% (22%), while the share of electric vehicles fell to 11% from 22%, though they still outpaced hybrids, which accounted for 8% (5%). The share of cars with LPG systems was 3% (4%).
The average age of imported used cars was 9.7 years.
The Volkswagen Golf confidently tops the list of the ten most popular imported used models with 5,143 units. Next are the VW Tiguan with 4,549 units, the Audi Q5 with 3,962 units, the Nissan Rogue—3,896 units, the Skoda Octavia—3,688 units, the Renault Megane—3,435 units, the Volkswagen Passat—2,477 units, the Ford Escape—2,446 units, the Nissan Qashqai—2,166 units, and the Audi A4—2,144 units.
As reported by “Ukravtoprom,” in 2025, Ukrainians purchased 274,300 used passenger cars imported from abroad, which is 24% more than in 2024; the top three most popular models after the Volkswagen Golf included two Tesla electric vehicles—the Model Y and Model 3.
This year, the market showed a 22% increase in January compared to January 2025, but began to decline starting in February.
The share of electric vehicles in the new passenger car market in January–June 2026 decreased to 8.3% compared to the same period in 2025, when it stood at 18.9%, according to a report on Ukravtoprom’s Telegram channel.
At the same time, cars with conventional engines (gasoline and diesel) accounted for nearly 62%, up from 56.5% last year. In particular, the most popular gasoline models accounted for 39.2% of the market, while in the first half of last year they accounted for 37.1%. Diesel cars also increased their share—to 22.5% from 19.4% last year.
The share of hybrid cars rose from 26.5% to 29.8%. Cars with LPG systems, as was the case last year, accounted for less than 1% of new car sales.
According to data from “Ukravtoprom,” the Hyundai Tucson took the lead in the gasoline-powered car segment, the Toyota RAV-4 in the hybrid segment, the Renault Duster in the diesel segment, the BYD Leopard 3 in the electric car segment, and the Hyundai Tucson in the LPG-powered car segment.
As previously reported, in 2025 as a whole, driven by rapid growth in electric vehicle sales in the second half of the year, they increased their share of the new passenger car market to 28.3% from 14.5% in 2024, while cars with conventional engines (gasoline and diesel) accounted for only half of the market compared to over 65%. The diesel car segment also decreased from 25.6% to 17.4%.
At the beginning of this year, electric vehicles still held a 19% share of the new passenger car market (in January), but by February that figure had fallen to 3.3%; however, in March it began to gradually increase amid rising prices for traditional fuel.
As reported, according to data from “Ukravtoprom,” sales of new passenger cars in January–June of this year rose by 0.5% compared to the same period in 2025, totaling approximately 33,000 units.
“Ukrzaliznytsia” continues to modernize its rolling stock; new passenger cars manufactured in Ukraine have already been added to the train set for Train No. 29/30 Kyiv–Uzhhorod, Ukrzaliznytsia announced on Saturday.
These cars will immediately begin service today on Train No. 4/3 from Uzhhorod to Dnipro, and taking into account the cars received a month earlier, there are now six new cars operating on the Kyiv–Uzhhorod–Dnipro route, according to a Telegram post.
The cars are equipped with high-capacity rechargeable batteries, which allow the air conditioners to operate even during prolonged stops in hot weather. The compartments also feature power outlets, tables for passengers in the upper berths, buttons to call the conductor, and modern lighting. The restrooms are equipped with changing tables and child seats.
As noted, Ukrzaliznytsia has received a total of 18 new passenger cars since the beginning of the year.
The share of electric vehicles in the new passenger car market in May 2026 fell to 8.5% compared to May 2025, when it stood at 18.4%, according to a report on the “Ukravtoprom” Telegram channel.
Compared to April of this year, their share decreased by 0.5 percentage points.
At the same time, cars with traditional engines (gasoline and diesel) accounted for over 60% of the market, compared to 54.3% last year. In particular, the most popular gasoline models accounted for 39.9% of the market, whereas in May of last year they accounted for 36% of the market. Diesel cars also increased their share—to 20.7% from 18.3% last year.
The share of hybrid cars rose from 27.1% to 30.8%, but compared to April 2025, it decreased by more than 2 percentage points.
As in the previous year, cars with LPG systems accounted for less than 1% of new car sales.
According to data from “Ukravtoprom,” the Hyundai Tucson took the lead in the gasoline-powered car segment, the Toyota RAV-4 in hybrids, the Renault Duster in diesel cars, the BYD Sea Lion 06EV in electric cars, and the Hyundai Tucson in LPG-powered cars.
As reported, overall in 2025, due to the rapid growth in electric vehicle sales in the second half of the year, they increased their share of the new passenger car market to 28.3% from 14.5% in 2024, while cars with traditional engines (gasoline and diesel) accounted for only half of the market compared to over 65%. The diesel car segment also decreased from 25.6% to 17.4%.
At the beginning of this year, electric vehicles still held a 19% share of the new passenger car market (in January), but by February it had fallen to 3.3%; however, in March it began to gradually increase amid rising prices for traditional fuel.
As reported, Ukrainians purchased approximately 5,500 new passenger cars in May 2026, which is 18% less than in May 2025 and 11% less than in April of this year.
Ukrzaliznytsia has launched a new flagship train, the “Sakura,” which connects Kyiv and Uzhhorod and features new cars manufactured in Ukraine in 2026, according to a statement from the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development.
According to the Ministry’s press release on Tuesday, the new cars are equipped with security systems featuring surveillance cameras and include a number of passenger-friendly improvements: rechargeable batteries, additional amenities for traveling with children, inclusive design elements, and functional comfort features in the compartments.
The new flagship train departs on its maiden voyage from Kyiv to Uzhhorod today, April 28.
“In total, Japan has already provided Ukraine with over $15 billion in financial, humanitarian, and technical aid. “Within the framework of grant programs, we are coordinating four phases of emergency recovery totaling approximately $700 million and expect to sign the next phase for an additional $40 million,” Deputy Prime Minister for Recovery and Minister of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine Oleksii Kuleba is quoted as saying in the release.
It is noted that with JICA’s assistance, Ukraine received approximately 28,000 tons of rails manufactured by Nippon Steel and dozens of units of specialized equipment, which allowed for the renewal of about 200 km of tracks on key routes.
The Ministry of Development added that 12 train cars feature cherry blossom petal branding.
In addition, passengers on the train will have access to an online portal about Japanese culture, architecture, and art, and will also be able to explore elements of Japanese cuisine, board games, and joint Ukrainian-Japanese cultural projects.
As previously reported, Ukrzaliznytsia received the first six of 100 new passenger cars ordered in 2025 from PJSC Kryukiv Railway Car Building Works (KVBZ).
The total contract value is approximately 6.5 billion UAH, and funding is provided from the state budget.
Deliveries are expected to continue in phases until May 2028, and 60 such cars will be ready by the end of 2026.
