AEB did not rule out the return of the European car industry to production in Russia

“As an association and as a committee, we do not comment on the policies and decisions of each brand. But if I answer so briefly I don’t rule it out at all. [возврата европейских автоконцернов в страну]“said the head of the AEB Committee of Automobile Manufacturers, Alexey Kalitsev.

According to him, the association maintains communication with many European brands, which “inspires a certain optimism.” Kalitsev clarified that “nothing can be ruled out,” referring to the return of European car manufacturers to Russia.

The composition of the AEB member companies is not disclosed. At the same time, around 70-75% of the association’s members are of European origin and remain the basis of the association, noted its general director Tadzio Schilling.

Furthermore, the AEB predicted that in 2025, the market for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (LCV) in Russia could decrease by 15%, to 1.4 million units, taking into account alternative supply channels.

Starting from the second half of the year, “different dynamics are possible” due to a possible reduction of the key rate of the Central Bank, the continued high level of pent-up demand, as well as the increase in production rates at production sites rebooted. Kalitsev added.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade and JSC PPK, 39% more new cars of various classes and purposes were sold in Russia during 2024 than in 2023. In total, we are talking about the sale of 1.8 million cars, of which almost 1.6 million are passenger cars.