Vladislav Vorotnikov
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NewsUkraine border tension threatens automotive supply chain
The threat of conflict between Russia and Ukraine is destablising the automotive supply chain in Eastern Europe and carmakers and tier suppliers are looking at alternative sources of imported parts
NewsReturning vehicle sales test Russian ro-ro capacity
Returning vehicle sales in Russia are prompting ocean transport providers to return laid up vessels into operation as capacity on international routes becomes tighter. Higher tariffs on containerised vehicle shipments from China is also leading to a switch in mode to ocean, adding to the demand for more services. That is expected to create an imbalance in supply and demand in the ro-ro transport sector in the short and medium-term.
NewsCovid pushes up demand for cheaper cars in Russia says Gefco
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Russian car market has pushed up demand for lower-priced vehicles, depleting inventory and leading to shortages in delivery capacity on road and rail, according to Dennis Gliznoutsa, commercial director of Gefco Russia.
NewsElectric vehicles supporting sales through pandemic, says head of Gefco Russia
Gefco Russia’s general director says that electric vehicles have been the one bright spot in terms of global vehicle and parts shipments in a industry otherwise still suffering from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic
NewsChinese carmaker Haval signs a major investment contract in Russia
Chinese carmaker Haval has signed a special investment contract worth 42.4 billion rubles ($650m) to expand the car plant it opened in Uzlovaya last year and build a components plant to localise the supply of core parts, including engines, transmissions, electronic control modules, and vehicle control systems
NewsSlovakian transport industry overcomes supply disruptions
The disruption to the Slovakian automotive industry caused by the Covid-19 pandemic was short-term and has already subsided, according to Alexander Matusek, president of the Slovak Automotive Industry Association. However, for the future stability of the sector Matusek said there needs to be greater government support in stimulating sales.
NewsRussian car industry needs greater parts localisation to survive
The volume of automotive components being imported into Russian assembly plants has nearly doubled over the past few years but the continued threat of secondary sanctions on the companies supplying them, combined with the impact of Covid-19 on the supply chain, means the Russian automotive industry could shutdown. What it needs for the future is a new localisation strategy, according to Vadim Sorokin, president of Russian vehicle maker Gaz Group.
NewsWWO diversifies to mitigate impact of Covid-19 on Russian vehicle imports
The Covid-19 pandemic has hit demand for maritime car carrying services to Russia from Europe by as much as 40%, according to Dmitry Vostrikov, general director of the Russian branch of Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean’s (WWO)…
NewsRussian logistics providers to benefit from state support says Gefco
Russia’s automotive supply chain continues to suffer from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic but, while the future is uncertain, the country’s government is considering different ways to support logistics providers, according to Valeria Seledkova, general director of logistics provider, Gefco Russia. Specific measures are expected to be approved by the end of June.
NewsRussia spending billions to bolster car market
The Russian government has said it will spend Rub20 billion ($240m) to support vehicle purchases across the country this year. The bailout package is focused on providing soft loans by state-owned banks for Russian citizens willing to purchase new vehicles by the end of 2020.
NewsRussian car industry caught between coronavirus and currency fluctuations
Automotive plants in Russia are reported to be running out of components as supply shortages caused by the coronavirus continue out of China and South Korea, and disruption spreads across Europe. At the same time the Russian ruble has hit a four-year low against the US dollar, which is taking its toll on production costs
NewsVolkswagen contracts Tablogix for PDC in Russia
Russian warehousing and distribution provider Tablogix has a new five-year contract with VW to provide same-day and next-day parts deliveries from the carmaker’s parts distribution centre in Chekov to dealers and service centres in Russia, and neighbouring countries
ArticleRussia: still supporting exports
As its domestic market stagnates, Russia is continuing to seek growth abroad and is subsidising the export of vehicles and parts – at a cost of more than $60m a year. The government is seemingly succeeding in its ambition of turning the country into a fully fledged automotive exporter, as its official target is to establish exports of at least 240,000 vehicles per year by 2025 – ideally up to 400,000 – and recent growth in this segment suggests that these figures could be within reach.
NewsKamaz struggles to make good on export plans
Russian truckmaker Kamaz is planning to boost sales overseas by nearly 35% this year, compared to 2019, amounting to 6,700 trucks based on exports and overseas production.
ArticleWater woes: how European river transport projects have ground to a halt
In Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Poland the authorities are embarking on big projects aimed at boosting cargo flows along key rivers. Potentially, this could provide more opportunities for the European finished vehicle logistics industry, but for a number of reasons it is not clear that river transport in the region will become more popular.
NewsBMW plans for local assembly in Russia hit a dead end
BMW’s plans to invest in a local assembly plant in Kaliningrad, Russia have been shelved following its failure to agree on investment terms with the local authority. Stefan Teuchert, CEO of BMW Group Russia, said inconsistencies in government policy at the federal level meant it was unable to reach a conclusion. Avtotor will continue to build vehicles from SKD imports under contract
ArticleRussia to tie vehicle utilisation fee to local production
The Russian government is changing the rules of its utilisation scheme, through which it allocates state aid for the reimbursement of fees paid by carmakers that are intended to cover eventual vehicle recycling charges. Carmakers in the country are divided over whether linking the utilisation scheme to the localisation programme is fair.
ArticleQ&A: Pascal Trummer, Magna International
The tier supplier’s vice-president of sales and marketing in Europe discusses major trends in the automotive industry, plus the state of the market in Central and Eastern Europe
ArticleSuppliers set CEE on firm foundations
In the decades since the end of the Cold War, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) has been attracting automotive components suppliers by virtue of its cheap labour, low taxes and convenient geographical location. Now, the region is aiming to maintain or even build on its gains in the face of vehicle electrification, rising global competition and other challenges.
NewsRussia to help fund localisation of parts production
The Russian government will allocate state support over the next five years to companies investing in the latest technology who agree to produce parts for more than one OEM, according to a new automotive industry development strategy