File image. Photo: REUTERS
Russia is buying up used cars in Japan, putting pressure on New Zealand importers, an exporter says.
The sanctions against Russia over its war on Ukraine have hit its vehicle industry, with many carmakers suspending operations there and stopping exports to it.
A major exporter of used cars to New Zealand from Japan said this had led to an almost doubling of Russian demand in Japan.
Usually, Russia buyers snared 12,000 to 14,000 vehicles a month but were now buying 24,000, the exporter, which RNZ agreed not to name, said.
That was cutting into the supply to New Zealand by about a quarter, or 2500 vehicles a month.
"That is putting pressure on prices," they said.
