Chinese brands suffering in Russia

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The Russian market has always been used as a ‘stepping stone’ to Europe by the Chinese manufacturers, but it seems the recent downturn in the economy has put a dampner on Chinese expansion plans in Russia.

In February, sales of Chinese automobiles in Russia were as follows:

• Chery – 363 vehicles sold (Feb 08 1,733 vehicles sold)
• Geely – 340 vehicles sold (Feb 08 – unknown)
• Great Wall – 281  (Feb 08 – 852 vehicles sold)
• Lifan – 205 vehicles sold (Feb 08 – 221 vehicles sold)
• BYD – 159 vehicles sold (Feb 08 251 vehicles sold)

Chery have taken the greatest hit in sales with a 79% decline in sales, where as Lifan have faired somewhat better, but still saw sales fall by 7% over February 2008.

Source