Korean and Chinese automakers prepare for imports instead of localization

In the open database of Rosstandart, Vehicle Type Approvals (VTA) are increasingly appearing for cars of Korean and Chinese brands, which until recently were produced within the Eurasian Economic Union, but now in the column "Assembly plant and its address" there are enterprises in the families of these brands countries. According to the law, different certificates must be issued for the same models of local and foreign production. Previously, Korean companies Hyundai and Kia sometimes allowed themselves such a “double certification”, but this was more of reinsurance: for example, the first lot of new-generation Hyundai Tucson crossovers came to us from South Korea, but assembly soon began at Kaliningrad Avtotor. Now this practice has expanded. Hyundai and Kia began the issuing of new VAT for Korean-made cars back in February. In particular, certificates were received for the Kia K5, Kia Soul and Kia Stinger models and in early March for the Genesis G70 and Genesis GV80. All Approvals are valid for the standard three years, and the list of modifications indicated in them is the same as for Russian-assembled cars.

In early April, according to the same scheme, a certificate for Korean-made Hyundai Santa Fe crossovers appeared, on April 29th, VAT was issued for Kia Seltos, and on May 12th for Kia Sorento. Previously, Avtotor was engaged in the local assembly of all the listed models for the Russian market, and the Seltos and Soul models were produced there with welding and body painting. Now Chinese companies have taken up similar activities. At the end of April, a certificate was issued for the Geely Coolray model, and at the beginning of May, for a Geely Atlas Pro made in China, although initially cars assembled at the Belarusian enterprise Belgy were delivered to Russia. The Chinese crossover JAC S6 was also certified, although the first document for cars assembled in Kazakhstan was published only a month ago, and the company did not even have time to start deliveries.

Finally, on May 4th, VAT was issued for the Chinese-made Haval Dargo crossover, although the production of these cars at the Tula plant began only in April of this year. Dargo from China has the same 2.0 turbo engine (192 hp) and a 7-speed preselective “robot”. Officially, automakers do not comment on the situation, but the trend is very clear. After shutting down supply chains and strong currency fluctuations, automakers from South Korea and China, who have not fallen under sanctions yet, are trying to switch from local assembly to importing finished cars. After all, it is now easier and probably cheaper to deliver cars directly along the eastern trade routes than to carry car kits for assembly, especially when it is about plants in Kaliningrad or Belarus.