The Russian automotive industry is actively reorienting itself towards the assembly of Chinese cars. This refers to cars manufactured in China, as well as European brands, the assembly kits of which come from China.
In the first four months of this year, 260.7 thousand passenger cars were produced in Russia — 10% more than in the same period last year.
Currently, domestic brands account for just over 45% of the total production of new cars. The remaining 55% is occupied by foreign brands. These are cars produced both under Russian brands (for example, «Moskvich» and Evolute), and Chinese brands. In fact, all these cars come from China, with the exception of a few European models: these include Citroen, Peugeot and Solaris (renamed Kia and Hyundai).
The Kaluga region has become an important center for the assembly of new cars. At the former Volkswagen plant, «AGR Group» produces Chery–Tenet, and Chinese Citroen and Haval M6 are assembled at the PSA plant. In Tula, the Haval plant is operating at full capacity, and in St. Petersburg, the production of Solaris is increasing at the former Hyundai plant.
The Kaliningrad «Avtotor» has focused on the assembly of Chery sub-brands. The prospects for other brands remain uncertain, and the company's new direction – the assembly of Eonyx electric vehicles, has not yet yielded significant results.
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