The French publication France Info released an investigation into the restart of the PSMA Rus plant in Kaluga under sanctions. Journalists explained why Stellantis Group reacted calmly to the copyright infringement and did not sue the management of the Russian enterprise.
It is claimed that the transnational automotive corporation was unable to determine who was behind the company "Automotive Technologies," which restarted production in Kaluga. The French called the situation with the PSMA Rus plant "industrial piracy" and compared it to the unlicensed assembly of Peugeot in Iran. Nevertheless, they decided not to sue the Russian enterprise. Stellantis stated that they had lost control over the plant in Kaluga.
Industry sources close to Stellantis explained that the French consider a lawsuit with Russian companies to be unpromising, and the calm reaction is due to a reluctance to quarrel with China.
The fact is that the multinational concern and the Chinese company Dongfeng are completing their cooperation. The Chinese sold shares of the auto giant and bought a stake in the joint ventures Dongfeng-Citroen and Dongfeng-Peugeot. Against this background, increased attention to the production of Citroen C5 Aircross in Russia would be undesirable, because it became possible after the help of China, from where car kits for the assembly of Citroen C5 Aircross come to Kaluga.
It is worth recalling that the PSMA Rus plant has been idle since April 2022. Production at the plant resumed in March.
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