"Victory", "Volga" and "Moskvich" can be revived on German and Chinese technologies

12

One of the most annoying economic sanctions, the consequences of which the Russians really felt, was the withdrawal from the domestic market of the main Western automakers. The proposed model range in car dealerships has drastically reduced, prices for used foreign cars and components have jumped up significantly. However, a holy place, as you know, is never empty.

The empty niche was quickly filled by alternative suppliers, which in itself is pleasing, but there are serious questions about the ongoing “import substitution” that require adequate answers.



China


Of course, the eyes of the Russian officials in charge of the empty factories formerly owned by Western manufacturers and their orphaned workforce immediately turned to China. Indeed, in the Middle Kingdom over the past few decades, many new automotive industries have appeared, the quality of products of which has increased markedly compared to what it was 10 years ago. Chinese cars, as a rule, are created on the platforms of famous German, French, Japanese and South Korean brands taken off the assembly line, they use quite modern Technology, have an attractive interior and exterior design. Today, these are not at all the “buckets of nails” that were just a couple of decades ago.

Most of all in the current situation, the Great Wall company was lucky, which came to Russia in 2005, and in 2006 began assembling its Hover SUVs at the Avtotor plant in the Kaliningrad region. In 2014, she registered the Haval sub-brand, which was the first to be presented in our country. In 2019, the Chinese automaker opened a plant in Tula and now feels better than other foreign competitors on the Russian market. It seems that everyone has noticed how the number of SUVs and crossovers under the Haval brand has increased on our roads.

The Chinese state-owned holding company BAIC Group, the second largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles in China, has also recently entered the Russian market. Avtotor Kaliningrad organized a screwdriver assembly of a compact five-seater X35 crossover and a U5 plus sedan. The degree of localization of production is still minimal. About plans for further expansion, BAIC International CEO Patrick Young says the following:

This year we plan to launch 7 BAIC models on the Russian market, including one sedan, three urban crossovers, two SUVs and one electric car. In the future, due to the strong R&D capability of BAIC, more BAIC models will be planned and launched in the Russian market with advanced technology and more specialized equipment.

AvtoVAZ and Moskvich took a somewhat different path of cooperation with Chinese manufacturers within the framework of "badge engineering". At the former Nissan plant near St. Petersburg, which is now owned by AvtoVAZ, cars from the Chinese state company FAW will be assembled under the Russian brand. The head of the Russian company, Maxim Sokolov, commented on the decision as follows:

It will be produced under the Lada brand in those segments and classes of cars that will not “cannibalize” and also compete with the products that the Volga Automobile Plant is currently producing. Although we are negotiating with many automotive manufacturers in the South Asian region, we have made the most progress with a Chinese manufacturer.

The first on the conveyor, apparently, will be the converted crossover FAW Bestune T77. Similarly, under the revived Moskvich brand, the Chinese JAC JS4 crossover in petrol and electric versions will be assembled at the former Renault plant in Moscow. The degree of localization is currently minimal, the assembly is of a “screwdriver” nature.

An attempt to replace the departed American, German, Japanese, French and South Korean cars with Chinese ones is quite natural. However, from the point of view of the consumer, there are questions about the cost: many quite rightly complain that the “horse price tag”, 2-3 million rubles for a “Chinese” is too much. From the point of view of the national security of the Russian Federation, falling into technological dependence on the PRC is like going out of the fire into the frying pan. The government of the Russian Federation, represented by its relevant departments, should demand that Chinese automakers bring localization to 100%, otherwise, if the supply chain of components is blocked or Beijing makes a political decision to stop cooperation with Moscow, our country will again be left with a nose.

Germany?


The most interesting economic news recent days - this is a message that the German concern "Volkswagen" is allegedly ready to participate in the revival of the Soviet brands "Victory" and "Volga". The fact that a member of the Supervisory Board of Porsche, the former head of the board of directors of the GAZ Group, the Austrian businessman Siegfried Wolf wrote a letter with a proposal to President Putin, was told by Der Spiegel.

The attitude to this information in our country turned out to be very contradictory. Some of the domestic experts, analysts and other predictors considered that this was purely a fake, aimed at discrediting the Austrian businessman by his ill-wishers. We will answer that Volkswagen has not officially confirmed the authenticity of the message. On the other hand, there is nothing unrealistic in a possible attempt by the German automaker to remain on the Russian market, but under a different brand.

On the contrary, the Germans are clearly very sorry to lose the huge investments made earlier, as well as to give their share to the Chinese. Moreover, for a hasty departure for purely political reasons, Volkswagen got into lawsuits from a former partner in the GAZ group, which led to the arrest of his property. If, however, “badge engineering” is carried out and under the brand name “Pobeda” and “Volga” we begin to produce converted models of “Volkswagen” and “Skoda”, then the German concern will be able to retain a share of 270 thousand cars a year.

Is it good for us?

Rather yes than no. Firstly, the quality of the converted Volkswagen products should be noticeably higher than that of the Chinese comrades. Secondly, the Germans will have to decide something with the localization of the production of components in our country. Previously, they were in no hurry with this, because it was profitable for them to transport finished components to the Russian conveyor, but now, due to the sanctions regime, this is impossible. If the government of the Russian Federation puts pressure, then the Germans will have to organize full-cycle production in our country, which will subsequently reduce geopolitical risks. You can’t fall into complete dependence on China and put your eggs in one basket.
Our news channels

Subscribe and stay up to date with the latest news and the most important events of the day.

12 comments
Information
Dear reader, to leave comments on the publication, you must sign in.
  1. +1
    April 11 2023 10: 59
    the Germans will have to decide something with the localization of the production of components in our country. Previously, they were in no hurry with this, because it was profitable for them to transport finished components to the Russian conveyor

    The Germans clearly and meticulously carried out all the signed SPIKs, and the depth of localization was quite serious - engines, cylinder blocks for engines, and much more.
    Automatic transmission - yes, we have not reached this stage yet.
    But in general, the depth was sufficient to make it profitable to export cars for export, in particular, at one time Russian Skodas went to the EU.

    If the news is not fake, then it's a very good thing.
    1. -1
      April 11 2023 18: 06
      "Reborn"? On "Chinese technologies"? laughing lol See "Robodog" with a grenade launcher on his back in a "ninja" suit from the last presentation of "Russian developments" - as an example of "use". Yes That's all you need to know about the "use of technology" in the Russian Federation ... Yes
  2. +1
    April 11 2023 11: 16
    Mr. Wolf offered to use the production facilities of Volkswagen, which left Russia, as well as the GAZ group. In addition, he proposed resuming the production of cars belonging to the VW brand Skoda in the second half of 2023. Mr. Wolf's plan is to start with the Rapid model at the plant in Kaluga, and then start production of the Octavia, Kodiaq and Karoq models in Nizhny Novgorod. According to Mr. Wolf, the appearance of cars needs to be greatly changed using the “characteristic features” of the Volga and Pobeda models. According to Der Spiegel, among other things, Mr. Wolf called for "reviving the legendary Russian brand Volga". In his opinion, all this will lay "the basis for the further development of an independent and modern automotive industry in the Russian Federation."

    Mr. Wolf also wrote that the company Promavtoconsult, which, according to some sources, is associated with an Austrian businessman, should be involved in this program. To implement the program, he asked the Russian authorities for a loan of 60 billion rubles. Wolff, according to Der Spiegel, said he had already reached "an agreement in principle" with VW top managers.

    VW and Porsche said they knew nothing about Mr. Wolf's letter.

    In March, it became known that the German auto parts manufacturer Schaeffler was selling its Russian assets to Mr. Wolf. The businessman has been closely associated with Russian business for a long time - in 2008 he joined the board of directors of the Russian Machines company, which, among other things, includes the GAZ group, and in 2010 he became the head of the board of directors.

    those. all the same, this is rather a private initiative of Mr. Wolf.
  3. 0
    April 11 2023 11: 18
    It is better to give preference to the Chinese. Balance towards a much more friendly east to build. Let me remind you that China does not supply weapons to regimes hostile to Russia and does not freeze Russian property.
    It must be clearly understood that Germany today is a country hostile to Russia from which one can expect blows in the back, chest, head and anywhere in the literal sense!
    1. +2
      April 11 2023 16: 00
      Have you ever bought Chinese crap. Designed and manufactured in China. Do not confuse with European goods made in China. These are two big differences. remember the words of one of the leaders of Russia. Russia had and does not have friends other than the Army and Navy. The rest is economic interests ......
  4. -1
    April 11 2023 13: 45
    Standard.
    When they write "they can do this, they can do that", it means they can't do anything ..
    Who saw the publicized AuRuses on ordinary roads? Once promoted "Prince Vladimir", "Ivan Kaolita", "Yo-mobile"?
    But ordinary Germans or Chinese were seen by everyone ...
  5. +1
    April 11 2023 15: 34
    Volkswagen will revive the Pobeda brand? This is an absolute profanation of meaning .... I would say that this is a devilishly casuistic idea.
  6. +2
    April 12 2023 10: 07
    In all countries have learned to make decent cars.
    And only in Russia, at home, astronautics can only assemble them from car kits with a screwdriver.
    1. -2
      April 12 2023 10: 53
      Quote: prior
      In all countries have learned to make decent cars.

      That's right in everyone, and everywhere - 146% localized, yeah ...

      Before SVO - localization of Russian Skoda, etc. was enough for export to the EU, and Russian Renault car kits were sent just for screwdriver assembly in Algeria.

      The fact that one politician reset all this on 24/02/2022 is the fault of this politician, and not the auto industry.
    2. +1
      April 12 2023 14: 40
      Shame! Aligarhi-Abramovichs cannot get a decent salary for their programmers, designers (there is not enough for a super-duper yacht and feasts in Israel!),
      and our smartest guys are looking for more profitable places!
      Big godfathers have banned the development of high technologies, microelectronics and
      industry in Russia, which gave the world Lomonosov, Mendeleev, Tsiolkovsky, Korolev and many, many others!
  7. 0
    April 15 2023 16: 36
    The German concern "Volkswagen" is allegedly ready to participate in the revival of the Soviet brands "Pobeda" and "Volga"

    the name Attila goes back to the Turkic Itil and means "man from the Volga"

    The fact that a member of the Supervisory Board of Porsche, Austrian businessman Siegfried Wolf wrote a letter with a proposal to the President


    Photo: Ferdinand Porsche presents the Volkswagen Beetle to the German Chancellor
  8. 0
    April 17 2023 16: 29
    The fashion for the rebranding of famous Western brands passed fifteen years ago: the Volkswagen Beetle, the English Minicooper, etc. In our opinion, Pobeda is very suitable for rebranding, and if it were successfully executed, it would be both beautiful and in demand. According to the Volga Gaz-21, this is already a question, because the silhouette is too specific and does not fit into today's level for mass production. In separate small batches it is possible. yes. This is approximately my opinion. Who will deal with it, yes, anyone, if only they could bring it to mass production, because ours can only be presented at exhibitions individually, with mass production, as a rule, it’s bad, that is, they don’t produce it.