Cars without ABS or airbags can now be produced.
Russia has relaxed vehicle manufacturing standards on its territory, allowing the production of cars without ABS or airbags due to shortages of electronic components and spare parts due to Western sanctions.
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In a decree issued on May 12, the Russian government has drawn up a list of reduced standards to be able to certify new vehicles produced in the country.
Under these new standards, the government authorizes manufacturers not to equip vehicles with ABS sensors or airbags or even seat belt pretensioners. The decree is valid until February 1, 2023.
Reduction of environmental standards
Russia is also significantly lowering environmental standards under the same decree, according to the daily Kommersant in its Tuesday edition. The newspaper notes that these are returning to levels equivalent to the vehicles produced in 1988.
After the Russian offensive in Ukraine, Western countries imposed severe sanctions on the Russian automotive sector, in particular a ban on the export of spare parts to Russia. Many manufacturers have also announced that they will stop selling components or cars to Russia, such as Audi, Honda, Jaguar or Porsche.
In May, Russia published a list of around 100 categories of goods that can be imported without the consent of intellectual property owners to circumvent restrictions. Among these products we find in particular the major car brands and spare parts.
Falling Russian GDP
Vladimir Putin keeps repeating that the West has unleashed an economic war against his country, but Russia has resisted the sanctions and now has a chance to develop its own national productions. According to international estimates, Russian GDP is likely to fall by at least 10% this year.
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But Russia can still count on the oil and gas gains that have allowed the treasury to fill up and the ruble to withstand sanctions.
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