SAIC supports Russia?

[Evgen K]

The official ZS+ Hybrid documentation, which you can find in Official MG Poland site, has several references to Russia as region of deliver\market:

Owner's manual, p. #337:

Does it mean that SAIC changed his mind on Russia and start support it? As i know the official position of SAIC at 2022 (starting from the invading Ukraine) was that they stop any contacts with the occupiers and cease to deliver MG to this country.

 

[Anon70]

According to Google Gemini there are a few car makers who still sell their product in Russia even if this is not direct sales

 

[Evgen K]

When i was choosing the car last summer, the one of the reasons why i selected MG Brand was the official declaration that MG did not support Russia and did not sell the car to this country.
(i'm from Ukraine).

I didn't care about other brands because i had MG that didn't support ruSSia.

 

[Evgen K]

It's need to say that UK official site has bit different information at this section:

No russia there.

 

[Evgen K]

I've verified owner's manual from Australian official site and it does not contain references to russia as well:

 

[Evgen K]

It seems the time to ask MG Poland directly, where they have found this manual

 

[Bam Bam]

Maybe they didn't update it when the rest of the world did?

Surprised as I thought Poland was particularly concerned about Russia/Ukraine given their proximity and history.

 

[Evgen K]

Maybe they didn't update it when the rest of the world did?

Surprised as I thought Poland was particularly concerned about Russia/Ukraine given their proximity and history.

I agree, someone forgot to update, but who?
I doubt that MG Poland fills this document, i think it`s a mistake of MG headquarters. But if you take a look on page #1 you will see that this document is dated 27 Dec 2023, almost 2024 year. How it`s possible that official MG document has the mention of Russia in 2024 year?

 

[Coulomb]

How it`s possible that official MG document has the mention of Russia in 2024 year?

My guess is that they simply forgot it's in there. The last edits would have been fixing car details that changed or needed extra wording.

Edit: Or, I'm completely wrong above. From this page, SAIC are increasing exports to Russia. SAIC are state owned, so my guess is that the Chinese government has pressured them to increase exports there. China would be one of the few countries supporting, or at least tolerating the behaviour of, Russia.

The entry from the above page:
SAIC Motor
remains operational; plans to increase export
Industrials
China

 

[EVGeezer]

Everybody has a right to vote with their wallet and abstain from spending his coin on companies they dislike - I am one of these individuals, although for me its is mostly for wine and spirits.

Conversely, to think that it is a brilliant idea for the Germans to abandon the Russian automotive market only has to look at what has happened, virtually from zero a couple years ago to:

Estimated Chinese Car Sales in Russia (2024):​

• Total Sales: Around 600,000–700,000 Chinese-branded cars were sold in Russia in 2024.
• Market Share: Chinese automakers captured over 50% of Russia's new car market.

Top Chinese Brands in Russia (2024):​

1. Chery (including Exeed) – ~200,000+ units
2. Haval (Great Wall Motor) – ~120,000+ units
3. Geely – ~100,000+ units
4. Changan – Rapidly growing (~80,000+ units)
5. Others (BYD, FAW, JAC, etc.) – Combined ~100,000+ units

Europe handed the not so insignificant Russian car market to Chinese car manufacturers on a silver platter - and they have lost that market forever.

 

[mick78]

Europe handed the not so insignificant Russian car market to Chinese car manufacturers on a silver platter - and they have lost that market forever.

Given that people still buy especially Premium brands through grey imports, I would say it's not totally lost, but certainly the cheaper end will have a tough life returning. It should also be noted that many Western corporations withdrew because of sanctions imposed by their countries, making business more or less impossible, not because of their high moral standards, and agreed to part buy back options for their factories. Also, whilst car companies mostly withdrew, quite a few other Western companies are still present in Russia, again proving that morals are not necessarily higher than in the CCP.

 

[OriginalBigAl]

Nature and economics. Both dislike vacuums and both will exploit opportunities.