The Russian arm of Mercedes-Benz, operating under the MB RUS banner after its branding transition, continued to sell cars from the Chinese brands AITO and LiXiang, as confirmed by the company’s press office. This move marks a strategic expansion of the group’s portfolio in a market that has shown ongoing interest in premium electrified and hybrid options, while Mercedes-Benz remains the core brand guiding the business. The arrangement underscores a broader initiative to diversify product offerings without losing the central emphasis on Mercedes models that have defined the dealership network in Russia for years.
Customers in the region can access two AITO models featuring hybrid propulsion and all wheel drive: the M5, priced from 6.85 million rubles, and the M7, offered in two trim levels from 7.4 million rubles. The M5 delivers up to 496 horsepower, delivering strong acceleration and refined highway performance, while the M7 focuses on a higher level of luxury and enhanced output at 449 horsepower. The LiXiang lineup adds three models to the mix, with the Li 7 available in three variants known as Max, Pro, and Air, the Li 8 in Max and Pro, and the Li 9 in its Max configuration. Pricing for these LiXiang models had not been disclosed at the time of the announcement, with details to be shared in due course as the rollout progresses. The combination of AITO and LiXiang products broadens the catalog for premium buyers seeking alternative Chinese electrified options within a Mercedes-influenced retail environment.
The plan calls for the AITO and LiXiang vehicles to reach showrooms by the end of September, signaling a deliberate cadence in the company’s entry into the market with these brands. MB RUS stressed that while Mercedes-Benz remains the focal point of the business strategy, there is a clear intent to gradually expand the lineup with additional premium passenger cars from other brands. This approach aligns with broader industry trends toward electrification and product diversity in the premium segment, offering customers a broader spectrum of choices while preserving the brand’s hallmark standards of luxury, safety, and driving pleasure. In the broader context, the regional market has seen shifts in trade and export patterns, with various external and domestic factors shaping how premium brands and new-energy vehicles reach Russian customers.