RusAutoNews.Com – The sanctions implemented by EU and USA against Russia have started to affect Russian automotive, although yet indirectly. According to Vedomosti, Daimler has stopped the import of an armoured model to Russia. The relevant statement has been made by the Russian representation of the company. However, the name of the model, which will not be imported to Russia anymore, is yet unknown.
According to Mercedes-Benz’s Russian website, Daimler used to sell four different armoured models in Russia: G 500 Guard, S-Guard Sedan ve Limousine and M-Guard. Representatives of several companies, who are experts in imports, have told Vedomosti newspaper that the model subject to sanctions may be G 500 Guard, a model highly popular amongst Russian security forces. The import of this model is being carried out under strict surveillance of the German government. The minimum annual sales number of the model, which is sold for €500-€600,000 in Russia, is being predicted as 10.
The annual volume of Russian armoured car market is around 500 vehicles. 100-150 of this figure are purchased from manufacturers such as: Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi. A BMW representative and a source close to Audi have told Vedomosti that the aforementioned companies have not yet been affected by the sanctions and the sales continue. According to sectoral experts, each of the three German brands sells between 20-30 armoured vehicles in Russia annually.
