Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has bemoaned the use of car parts made in China in domestic cars.
The official criticized Russian automakers on Tuesday for fitting the country's revived Volga cars with steering wheels made in China.
Western sanctions imposed over President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine have strained Russia's car market, with foreign makers pulling out and suspending operations in the country. Russia has also been plagued with spare parts shortages, with the issue forcing Russian carmaker Avtomaz to suspend operations in May 2023. Newsweek has contacted Russia's Foreign Ministry by email for comment.
A Russian union complained last year that spare parts supplied by Chinese automakers and suppliers were of poor quality. The Russian Union of Automotive Services said Chinese vehicles frequently break down and regularly require repair and maintenance.
"These are similar to parts for European cars but of very low quality. They cost much less than original spare parts, but they can and do lead to serious damage," an employee of a car service station told local publication URA.RU on condition of anonymity in October 2023.
https://www.newsweek.com/mikhail-mishustin-putin-volga-cars-chinese-parts-1903431
