Hyperdrive

Chinese Cars Rise in Russia After Fury Drove Western Brands Out

Chery, Geely, Great Wall fill void left by global automakers
Spotlight may turn to web of partners, risking reputations

Great Wall Motor Ltd.'s Haval F7 during a rain simulation test on the assembly line inside the company's plant in the Uzlovaya industrial park, near Tula, Russia, in 2019.Source: Bloomberg

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By Linda Lew

March 1, 2023 at 4:00 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Chinese car manufacturers are filling the void global automakers left by pulling out of Russia. So far, they’ve managed to avoid the backlash aimed at Western companies that tried to stay.

Carmakers including Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd., minivan maker Chery Automobile Co. and Great Wall Motor Co. known for its affordable Haval brand, grabbed 17% of Russia’s auto market in 2022 after most of the world’s biggest automakers, including Volkswagen AG and Toyota Motor Corp., exited the country following its invasion of Ukraine just over a year ago.