“Russian Automotive Update: Chery Considers Localizing Production, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen Plants Sold, Moskvich Introduces Heated Seats, and More”

The sale of two Russian plants at once – Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen – became known this week, Chery in Shanghai announced its desire to open production in Russia, Moskvich received heated seats

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The main automotive event of the week was the opening of the international motor show in Shanghai. Here the delegation of dealers from Russia turned out to be one of the largest. During the exhibition and at official meetings with the leadership of Chinese companies, many loud statements were made, albeit disguised due to fear of sanctions. In Russia, meanwhile, the fate of the Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen plants has become clearer – here, eastern production partners also could not do. Let’s talk about what happened during the week.

Chery is considering the possibility of localizing production in Russia

Zhang Guibing, president of Chery International, spoke about the opportunities under consideration for localizing the production of Chery cars in Russia during an official dinner with journalists from Russia in Shanghai, an Autonews.ru correspondent who visited there reported. The head of the company refused to disclose the details of these plans, explaining this by the risk of falling under sanctions.

Later, at a meeting with journalists, Mr. Zhang Guibing again spoke about possible plans for working in Russia.

“We never stopped thinking about the localization project – this is closely related to the strategic development of Chery in Russia. Chery International continues to explore opportunities and proposals from production sites in order to select the best solution for this project. We are considering different ways of cooperation: our own Chery plant, a plant on a partnership basis,” Guibin said, quoted by the company’s press service.

Around the same time as Chery’s statement, news about the fate of the Volkswagen plant followed. Thus, as Vedomosti reported, citing sources familiar with the decision of the advisory body, the government commission for the control of foreign investment approved the sale of the Kaluga Volkswagen plant to the Avilon dealer company. The applicants for the enterprise were called the Avilon dealer holding and AFK Sistema, but the final choice fell on Avilon, which plans to restart the assembly of cars at this site. According to sources, the Chinese company Chery can become a manufacturing partner. An Autonews.ru correspondent asked the company’s representatives about these plans, but they declined to comment.

Moskvich received a new version with heated seats

In Russia, sales of a new configuration of the Moskvich 3 crossover called Comfort have started. Such a car is equipped with heated seats, LED optics and all-round cameras. Forward Collision Warning, Automatic High Beam Control, Lane Departure Warning and Blind Spot Monitoring are also available to the driver. Price – 2,250,000 rubles.

You can buy a SUV in the Comfort modification only with a 1.5-liter turbo engine with a capacity of 150 hp, which works in conjunction with a CVT. This version is not available with a manual transmission. The company warned that the number of “Moskvich” in the “Comfort” version is limited.

The network declassified the interior design of the new Lada Granta

Photos of the interior of the new Lada Granta have leaked to the network. The pictures were published by the community “Notes of a city dweller” in the social network “In contact with”. In the photos you can see an analog dashboard, a small multimedia screen, vertical air ducts and a three-spoke multi-steering wheel. In addition, the variator lever is located on the central tunnel.

For the first time, the development of a new generation of Lada Granta (the name may be changed) became known a year ago. It was then that the car was shown to the ex-president of AvtoVAZ, Nicolas More. The car was developed on the French platform CMF-B, which, after the introduction of anti-Russian sanctions, it was decided to localize. As a result, this decision has shifted the timing of the release of new items on the market.

The traffic police will not fine for the portraits of the “Immortal Regiment” on the car

Traffic police will not issue fines to drivers for posting on cars as part of the Immortal Regiment campaign photos of relatives who took part in the Great Patriotic War. This was announced by the official representative of the department Irina Volk. According to her, the only requirement is that the images should not restrict the view of the motorist.

At the same time, she recommended placing photos on the rear and side rear passenger windows. In order for the images to be preserved in a decent form, the department advises attaching them to car windows from the inside. According to Volk, not only citizens, but also various organizations that use cars in their professional activities can join the action.

The Russian plant Mercedes-Benz has a new owner

Dealer holding Avtodom became the owner of Mercedes-Benz assets in Russia. According to Interfax, the company bought out 100% of the Moscow region plant “Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Rus” (MBMR) and “Mercedes-Benz Capital Rus”. The amount of the transaction has not yet been disclosed. At the same time, the register does not contain information about the acquisition by the dealer of control over other local structures of Mercedes-Benz – Mercedes-Benz Rus JSC (official distributor in Russia) and Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Rus LLC (subsidiary leasing company).

At the same time, the German automaker retained the right to buy back shares “for a fair market price, which is to be determined by an independent appraiser.” In turn, the Handelsblatt newspaper will clarify that the return of Mercedes-Benz to Russia is possible only after the lifting of sanctions from our country.

Omoda revealed the cost of the S5 sedan for Russia

The Chinese company Omoda has revealed prices for the new S5 sedan for Russia. The car can be purchased with two types of power plants and in three trim levels at a price of at least 2,019,900 rubles. Already in the basic version, the car received heating, rear parking sensors, a surround view system, cruise control and a choice between driving modes.

The engine range includes a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with 113 hp. Also, the sedan can be bought with a 1.5-liter unit with a capacity of 147 hp. In fact, the Omoda S5 is a refurbished Chery Arrizo 5 Plus that has been on sale in China since 2021. Competitors of the novelty are Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla.

Russia may start importing cars from India

The Russian authorities are ready to discuss deliveries of Indian cars to the country. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov in an interview with RIA Novosti. According to the official, at the moment such conversations are already underway. However, there is no final decision yet.

There are currently three major automakers in India: Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra and Maruti Suzuki. These three brands are engaged in the production of both passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Moreover, some of the Indian cars are already available for purchase in Russia. Dealers import these cars privately under the parallel import scheme.

New Eheed Exlantix sedan and crossover will be brought to Russia

The Chinese company Exeed will bring to Russia two new items from the Exlantix series. The sedan, which in China was called Sterra ES, should be the first to debut on our market. Sales of this car in Russia should start before the end of this year. The power plant of the novelty may consist of one or more electric motors. Power has not yet been disclosed, but acceleration to the first hundred takes 3 s. The power reserve on one charge will be 700 km.

In the first half of 2024, a new electric crossover, which is known in China as the Sterra ET, should reach the Russian market. However, in our country, the model will most likely be sold under a different name. The crossover is equipped with Chery NP2.0 batteries, which will be available in three capacities: 60, 82 and 100 kWh. The power reserve varies from 500 to 700 km.

Chinese Voyah will bring Passion sedan to Russia

The Chinese company Voyah, which already sells the Free crossover and the Dream minivan in Russia, showed the Passion full-size electric sedan at the Shanghai Motor Show. Reception of orders for a four-door in Russia has already started. True, Russian prices for the model have not yet been announced.

The car received a twin-engine power plant with a capacity of 510 hp. and 730 Nm of torque. Up to 100 km / h, the car can accelerate in 3.8 seconds. The range of the sedan is 483 and 608 km, depending on the version. In our market, the car will be sold with adaptive air suspension, all-round visibility system and three screens of the multimedia system.

Nissan introduced the new Pathfinder

Nissan showed off the new Pathfinder at the Shanghai Auto Show. So far, the novelty has debuted in concept status. In the future, the prototype will definitely receive a production version, the production of which will be mastered at the facilities of the Dongfeng-Nissan joint venture in China. Moreover, the new Pathfinder is not the next generation or a full-fledged restyling. We are talking about a special off-road vehicle, which is intended exclusively for the Chinese market. At the same time, it is not excluded that the model will eventually reach Russia under the parallel import scheme.

The car differs from the fifth generation Pathfinder with completely new body elements. The car was equipped with different optics, as well as modified bumpers, grille, fenders and other details.

In the interior of the crossover, two liquid crystal screens were installed, visually combined into a single unit. One of them acts as a virtual dashboard, and the second is responsible for multimedia. Specifications of the model are still kept secret.