Russian automakers were ready for Western sanctions, and had a backup plan in case, said the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov, commenting on the inclusion of FSUE "NAMI" and "Aurus" in the US Treasury sanctions list.
I can’t say that we didn’t expect sanctions or weren’t ready for them. All companies that receive such news are already ready for it and always have a plan "B"
Auto expert Maxim Kadakov believes that it is possible to escape from sanctions pressure in various ways. For example, the "St. Petersburg Automobile Plant" (transferred to FSUE "NAMI") may change its owner. If it has an owner not from the sanctions list, then cooperation with foreign partners is possible.
Earlier, the United States condemned Russia for the Aurus premium car presented to leader Kim Jong-un. The US State Department recalled that this violates UN Security Council sanctions.