In response to Russia‘s large-scale invasion of Ukraine, Western countries have increased sanctions against Moscow. Many Western companies have also left Russia, notably automobile manufacturers. A void increasingly filled by Chinese companies.
Whether it is the French Renault and Ford, the Japanese Nissan and Toyota or the German Volkswagen and Mercedes Benz, all these brands have joined the series of announcements of withdrawals of Russia major Western automobile manufacturers.
However, their factories did not remain empty for long. Last October, the Chinese manufacturer Chery has opened three assembly sites in the premises vacated by Volkswagen and Mercedes.
The « automotive landscape » Russian has changed
And the result is starting to be seen on the roads of Russia. A Russian YouTuber documents in English the consequences of Western sanctions in his country. “ I am standing in front of one of the busiest highways in Moscow. I have a stopwatch in my hand and for two minutes I will count the Chinese cars. Of the 177 cars that passed in front of me, I counted 35 Chinese, or roughly 20%. »
