A reduction in the key interest rate may lead to an increase in demand for car loans.

A reduction in the key rate from 18% to 17% per annum may lead to an improvement in consumer sentiment and an increase in demand for credit products in the retail sector. Olga Boyko, Director of the Financial Services Department at Rolf, told about this on September 12.

"We expect that the downward trend in the key rate will continue, and in the medium term its value will be able to reach the level of 12-14%. At this level, there can be a significant increase in demand and a significant reduction in financial costs for businesses," Boyko was quoted as saying by Rossiyskaya Gazeta on September 12.

She noted that the business in 2025 faced a sharp increase in operating costs associated with high borrowing costs. The gradual reduction of credit pressure will allow the professional community to improve financial results and direct the released funds to business development, the specialist explained.

On September 12, the Central Bank of the Russian Federation lowered its key rate to 17% per annum. The economy continues to return to a balanced growth trajectory, lending growth has intensified in recent months, and inflation expectations remain high, the Central Bank said.

We found a balance: sales of new cars increased by 1.3%

The car market showed moderate growth in August

According to the NBKI, in January – July 2025, car loans were issued in the amount of 713.6 billion rubles, 46.2% (or 1.9 times) less than in the same period last year. In July of this year, the average amount of car loans issued amounted to 1.38 million rubles, an increase of 4.9% compared to the previous month. This indicator has been growing for the fifth month in a row.

On September 2, it was reported that the average term of car loans for new and used cars in Russia in July was 5.5 years (65.7 months). Compared to the beginning of summer, this indicator increased by 2%, it continues to recover from the fall at the beginning of the year and has been growing for the third month in a row.

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