11 Mar 2022 10:30

Stellantis suspends automobile exports, imports in Russia

MOSCOW. March 11 (Interfax) - Stellantis, the automotive group formed a year ago through the merger of Italian-American company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and France's PSA Group, has suspended exports of automobiles from Russia and stopped shipping vehicles to the Russian market from abroad.

"Exports of LCV from Russia have been temporarily suspended due to disruptions in logistics chains. We are monitoring the situation on a daily basis and trying to find the best solutions for resuming supplies," the company's Russian office told Interfax, adding that imports of the company's automobiles into Russia have also been suspended.

Stellantis's auto plant in Kaluga is still operating, the company said.

The Wall Street Journal, citing Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, reported in late February that the company did not rule out moving production out of Russia if sanctions have a negative impact. Stellantis's Eurasia press service did not confirm this.

Stellantis's main asset in Russia is the PCMA Rus plant in Kaluga's Rosva industrial park, which has been manufacturing automobiles with a complete production cycle since 2012. Investment in the plant, which is 70% owned by Stellantis and 30% by Mitsubishi, totalled 550 million euros.

The plant produces Peugeot 408 and Citroen C4 cars, Peugeot, Opel and Citroen light commercial vehicles, as well as Peugeot Partner, Citroen Berlingo and Opel Combo minivans and compact vans. Mitsubishi assembles Outlander and Pajero Sport SUVs at the plant.

Stellantis's sales in Russia surged 64.7% to 18,526 automobiles in 2021 and its market share grew to 1.1% from 0.7% in 2020, the Association of European Businesses reported.