The expert appreciated the idea of increasing duties on Chinese cars in Russia

The introduction of duties on cars from China, as well as an increase in the recycling fee, will almost certainly complicate the situation for Chinese companies that actively support the Russian market after the departure of foreign brands. Alexander Korotkov, CEO of the Likvi car search aggregator, shared this opinion with Izvestia on July 15, commenting on the proposal of the State Duma deputy.

"These brands not only continued their activities, but also began the process of localizing production, creating jobs in the regions <...> The market needs to be given time to adapt. There are already signs that the situation is starting to improve: the second week of July has become a record sales record for the season," said Korotkov.

To stimulate the market, it is necessary to reduce the key rate and offer preferential car loans to car owners over the age of 15 who have owned them for three to four years, he believes.

"Competition should be healthy, generally accepted expectations from cars have increased, and we are talking about safety (parking assistants, airbags), comfort (multimedia system, winter package), economy and spaciousness. Chinese manufacturers have given the Russian market this opportunity. The domestic car industry has made an attempt to provide a high—quality end product, and this has not gone unnoticed," the expert noted, pointing to the new Lada Azimut model from AvtoVAZ.

Not everyone will survive: every tenth car dealer may leave the market by the end of the year.

Low sales and internal competition reduce profitability

Earlier in the day, it was reported that the chairman of the State Duma Committee for the Protection of Competition, Valery Hartung, proposed to impose duties on Chinese car companies as a measure to support domestic automakers, as well as to increase the recycling fee for cars.