11 car brands halt Russia exports, operations 

If you’ve been keeping up with world news, then you’ll know that there’s a war going on between Russia and Ukraine. Effectively, the latter invaded the former. As a result, many car brands have either pulled out or ceased their operations in Russia. 

Many brands have facilities in Russia

Mainly, the suspension of operations in the aforementioned Slavic country is somewhat attributed to sanctions. These are currently being imposed by world governments as a response to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. 

Here’s a list of car brands that have already halted their exports to, and operations in Russia as of this writing. Also included are some that are poised to do so. 

1. Honda 

Honda has expressed that it was having difficulties in shipping cars to Russia. The Japanese car brand also said that business related transactions were getting increasingly difficult because of Russia being cut off from the SWIFT banking system. As a response to this, it has stopped its motorcycle and automobile exports to the said country since March 2, 2022. 

2. Toyota 

As for Toyota, the Japanese car brand announced yesterday (March 3, 2022) that it is also suspending its operations in Russia amid “supply disruptions”. Do remember also that it was a victim of a cyber-attack conveniently after Japan’s announcement of its own set of sanctions against Russia. 

3. Stellantis 

Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, Fiat, etc., has also said that it will have to comply with wartime sanctions. It was also mentioned that its plant in Kaluga which it co-owns with Mitsubishi, can’t operate “if there are no parts.” They weren’t specific, but this implies the difficulty of getting said parts in order for the said plant to continue operating. 

Stellantis models like the Opel Vivaro (pictured) are quite popular in Russia

4. BMW 

BMW, and by extension Mini, also shuttered several of their factories around Europe since some of their parts suppliers are located in Ukraine.  

5. Volvo 

Volvo is also one of the first brands to cease its shipments to the region in question. With regards to this, the brand implied that there are “potential risks associated with trading material with Russia.” 

6. Aston Martin 

For Aston Martin, it also said that it had to “pause sales and shipment of vehicles to Russia” also due to the recent sanctions. Then again, it also expressed concern for its partners in Kyiv. 

7. Volkswagen Group 

The Volkswagen group in turn, also ceased the operations of its Russia-based plants, as well as its export operations to Russia. The company also made an appeal for the “political actors to end the fighting and return to diplomacy.” 

8. Mercedes-Benz 

Other brands like Mercedes-Benz also made more proactive moves in response to the said conflict. Specifically, the German marque will be donating 1 million Euros (around Php 57 million) via Red Cross as a form of aid to those affected.  

9. Ford 

Ford also mentioned that it was “deeply concerned about the invasion of Ukraine.” With that, the brand had to inform some of its local partners in Russia that it was suspending its operations in the region. The American carmaker is also donating $100,000 (around Php 5 million) to support the Global Giving Ukraine Relief Fund. 

The Transit is also a market mover in the Russian market

10. Mitsubishi   

According to a report by Reuters, there’s a chance for Mitsubishi to halt its operations in Russia due to supply chain issues caused by the sanctions. 

11. Jaguar Land Rover

The same is the case for Jaguar Land Rover, which said that the “current global context also presents us with trading challenges.” To this end, it has ceased delivery to the said region. 

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