Power Systems Research Activities in Russia Paused

March 2022- Power Systems Research has currently paused all research and business development activities in Russia. We have maintained a presence in Russia since 2013 to bring important updates to our clients about the powered equipment markets within Russia. We are monitoring the current situation on a daily basis and hope to again establish this presence at some point in the future when the conflict with Ukraine resolves. Please contact us at info@powersys.com if you have questions regarding business conditions in Russia. Thank you.

Russian Auto Production Catching Up with Demand

The Russian automotive sector is expanding and has a good chance to meet existing payable demand, reports industry minister Mr. Manturov. He said the domestic market has taken fourth place in Europe by volume for the first time.

Car sales have  been growing the last three months, and dealers are talking about a shortage of inventory. If the production does not recover until Spring, the market will be short, they say. But the minister said OEMs will handle this challenge easily.

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Haval Starts Building Motor Plant in Russia

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

Construction of the new Haval plant is based on an investment contract. The new plant, which is scheduled to start production in 2022, Haval is expected to increase localization of its cars.

The plant is located in Tula region, and its production should be enough to produce engines for more than 90% of the Haval cars sold in Russia.

Investment in the project is estimated to be about US$ 55 million (4 billion Rubles). Planned annual production capacity is 80K engines.  

Read The Article

PSR Analysis: This event is an example of the strategy to develop relationships between the Russian government and large international OEMs. Large car makers are allowed to sell their product in Russian market while they bring production capacities (and technologies) into the country.    PSR

Maxim Sakov, Market Consultant – Russia Operations for Power Systems Research

KAMAZ Launches First Dump Truck Sharing Service

The KAMAZ truck sharing service works on the classic vehicle sharing model. The company provides a ready-to-use vehicle; the client just needs to fuel it. Optionally, the client can rent the truck with the driver.

It’s possible to take a truck for a period of one day up to one year. The fleet available for rent includes modern dump trucks KAMAZ-65801 up to 32 ton capacity, which is one of most popular models on the market.

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Increased Utilization Fees for Vehicles Planned

Russian authorities plan to increase vehicle utilization fees in 2021, according to automotive sources.

Utilization fees could be increased by as much as 25-30% for all types of vehicles, including special machinery, according to industry sources. This measure would be accompanied by a comparable devaluation of the national currency, which would reduce trade barriers.

Utilization fees were implemented in 2012. It was always considered as a compensation of Custom’s tax reduce after Russia’s entry into WTO. It was set in Russian Rubles. Initially, the fees were paid by the importers only. However, they later were expanded to everybody, but then local OEMs started receiving industrial subsidies, compensating for this fee.

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PSR Analysis: With reduced tax collection and increased State expenses in 2020, Russian authorities are seeking sources to compensate for income losses. Increasing utilization fees is one way to do this.    PSR

Maxim Sakov is Market Consultant – Russia Operations for Power Systems Research

Russia To Start Making Diesel Engines for Passenger Cars

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

Today, there is no mass production of diesel engines for passenger cars in Russia. Production of the last such project, the turbodiesel ZMZ-514 for UAZ SUV, was halted several years ago.

But next year Russia will resume mass production of diesel engines for passenger cars. The PSMA Rus plant in Kaluga will make 1.6-liter diesels of the DV6 family, designed by French PSA. The production start is planned for mid-2021.

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KAMAZ Starts Development of Euro-6 Engine

Project “Tibet” is going on in R&D center of KAMAZ. Within this project, OEM is performing work on creation of an inline 6 cylinder engine, the KAMAZ-910.40 that meets the Euro-6 Emission standard. The initial prototype of the engine has been assembled.

New engine should have NOX reduced in 5 times, particles – in 2,5 times, ammonia – in 2,5 times, comparing to its predecessor. There are also stricter requirements to engine diagnostics.

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AutoVAZ Shows Best Monthly Sales for 6 Years in October

During October 2020 AutoVAZ increased sales of Lada cars (including the Niva brand) by 22.5% to 37,030 vehicles. This is a best result since October 2014, when the company sold 37,788 cars.

Marketing and sales vice-president of the OEM Mr Morne has explained demand and sales growth by State and own support programs.

AutoVAZ plans to work Saturdays and holidays during November to meet low inventories of cars among dealers.    Read The Article

PSR Analysis: It appears that the grim forecast regarding automotive production in Russia related to the epidemy is not going to come true. However, there is one more factor in the growing demand. The devaluation of national currency will force people to spend their Rubles before they lose a big part of its value.    PSR

COVID Delays Trade Shows

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

MOSCOW–October in Russia has seen increasing restrictions related to the COVID quarantine placed on trade shows. Most shows which normally would be held at this time, have been cancelled or shifted to 2021.

Fairs such as “Busworld” and “Interauto” will not take place this year. However, some events have been included on a so called “exception list,” or official list of trade shows and congresses, planned to be conducted in here from Oct. 20, 2020, to 30 Nov. 30, 2020. Among these events are Mining World and the Heat and Power trade show, held Oct. 27 – 29 in the Crocus Expo Center here.

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Sollers-Ford Restarts Engine Plant in Elabuga

Maxim Sakov
Maxim Sakov

JV Sollers-Ford will resume production at its engine plant in Elabuga; the plant was closed in the summer of 2019 after Ford has left the Russian Passenger Car market. The engine plant in Elabuga is again owned by JV. Total investment in new project is expected to exceed US$ 8 million (627 million rubles).

The plant will produce diesel engines for LCV Ford Transit units. Mass production is planned for 2023, and production capacity will be 25,000 engines per year.

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Production of BelAZ Dump Trucks May Be Started in Russia

Minsk has offered to Moscow to localize production of heavy mining BelAZ trucks in Russia. It was announced by deputy of Trade Minister Mr. Evtukhov.

“At the moment Belorussian colleagues have offered to produce BelAZ trucks in Russian Federation, to localize… I think, this project could be implemented – says Mr. Evtukhov on joint meeting of trade committees of two countries.

Note, that in Belarus since 9 August the protests have started. BelAZ workers also participated in meetings and strikes.    Read The Article

PSR Analysis: BelAZ produces one of the world’s largest HHP mining trucks (up to 450 ton capacity), and Russia was one of its key markets until this year. However, now the import volumes to Russia have dropped significantly. Today, production of similar trucks in Russia is localized by Caterpillar. Similar projects also are developed by local OEMs (Tonar, KAMAZ). So, BelAZ is searching for ways to keep its market share.    PSR

Maxim Sakov is Market Consultant, Russia, for Power Systems Research