Vitaly Mankevich spoke about the impact of the taxi localization law on Chinese auto brands

On the sidelines of the Innoprom exhibition in Yekaterinburg, RAUIE Chairman Vitaly Mankevich, in a comment to Sputnik, spoke about the impact of the taxi localization law on Chinese auto brands.

What has changed?

Since March 1, a law has been in effect in Russia under which taxi services may only use cars with a high share of Russian components or those produced under special investment contracts. Ordinary assembly from imported kits is not enough – the vehicle must accumulate a certain number of localization points.

Who already meets the requirements?

Thanks to deep localization in Russia, the requirements are met by:

• Chinese brands Haval and Voyah
• Russian brand TENET (which produces cars of the Chinese brand Defetoo)
• Evolute (localized versions of Chinese Dongfeng models)
• Moskvich (localized versions of JAC cars)

The total number of Chinese models approved for operation in Russian taxi fleets has exceeded 20.

What does this give Chinese automakers?

"With the support of the Association of Chinese Automakers in the Russian Federation, Chinese auto brands that have localized production in Russia gain access to the Russian taxi fleet, which is estimated at approximately 1.3 million vehicles. In addition to consumer sales and participation in government procurement, they gain another major sales market and a competitive advantage," Mankevich noted.

The RAUIE Chairman also emphasized that the wear and tear on taxi fleet vehicles is higher than that of private owners, so Chinese brands that gain access to taxi fleets secure themselves an almost constant demand.