MOSCOW (Reuters) – Sergei Chemezov, the head of Russia’s major Rostec company, said he was grateful to Chinese carmakers for filling the gap created by Western brands, but that the state could consider safeguards for assembled cars.
Rostec is by far Russia’s most powerful arms and vehicle player with a stake in Russia’s largest truck maker Kamaz, and was the controlling shareholder in the largest car maker Avtovaz, formerly controlled by France’s Renault.
Western automakers abandoned the Russian market after Russia sent thousands of troops into Ukraine and ceded a large share of the Russian auto market to Chinese automakers. Brand new Chinese cars are now everywhere on Moscow roads.
“After the departure of Western brands, there was a shortage of cars on the market, and it had to be covered somehow. By the way, we should say thanks to the Chinese,” Chemezov said in written responses to an interview request from Reuters. .
“When the Germans, Japanese and Koreans pointed the ‘finger’ at the Russians, the Chinese auto industry supported us,” Chemezov said, adding that the state would find a solution.
“The growth of Chinese car brands is really attracting attention,” Chemezov said. “Today there is no shortage of cars on the market. I am convinced that the state will find a solution. The import of assembled cars can be regulated with protective measures.”
He said that foreign automakers’ projects with a high localization level, on the contrary, should receive government support.
(Writing by Gleb Stolaryov; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge)