Because of situation with Ukraine a number of Western automobile brands can leave Russia. Automakers explain this exodus from Russia with the introduction of new sanctions against Russia, as well as the unpredictability of the ruble exchange rate. western cars just may become uncompetitive.
The first candidate for elimination is Stellentis automaker. The head of the concern, Carlos Tavares, said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal that he does not yet know how the new sanctions will affect car production in Russia. But if the import of components is impossible or very difficult, then manufacturers will have to think about transferring production from Russia.
Stellantis is formed by the merger of the Italian-American Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and the French PSA Group. Main factory of the group located in Kaluga region. Peugeot 408, Citroen C4, Mitsubishi Outlander and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport are assembled here, as well as commercial mini-vans and compact vans Peugeot Partner, Citroen Berlingo and Opel Combo, which planned to be sold in Europe. Also, Russian-assembled Peugeot and Opel engines were sent to Europe.
In 2021, Stellantis sold just over 18.5 thousand vehicles in Russia.
In total, the Russian market may miss 40 thousand cars annually. Added nervousness and arrest subject to Western sanctions against Promstroybank of the dry cargo ship Baltic Leader, which was carrying new cars to St. Petersburg. The ship left the port of Rouen and is now anchored in the port of Boulogne. In France, they noted that such an arrest of the ship is a very rare case.
With the departure of European, American or Japanese automakers their places in the market will be redistributed in favor of representatives of South Korea and China. In 2021, Chinese brands sold 115.7 thousand cars in Russia. And in 2022, the Chinese began with a two-fold increase in sales.
Meanwhile, there is no excitement in Russian car dealerships selling foreign cars.