A plan to showcase a working Belarusian electric car to the nation’s leadership is marching forward, with expectations that the prototype will be ready for President Alexander Lukashenko by the close of 2023. This update comes from Belarusian officials who relay the message through RIA Novosti, citing Deputy Prime Minister Pyotr Parkhomchik. The aim is clear: demonstrate domestic automotive progress and send a strong signal about the country’s electric vehicle ambitions to a broad audience in Belarus and beyond. [RIA Novosti attribution]
Concretely, the short-term objective is to fulfill the president’s directive to establish a fully domestic electric vehicle production capability by the end of 2025. The deputy prime minister emphasized the priority of delivering a tangible example of the homegrown EV to the head of state before year-end, underscoring the government’s commitment to accelerating local manufacturing in the automotive sector. This approach blends political will with industrial development, aiming to create a robust domestic supply chain for electric mobility. [RIA Novosti attribution]
Industry partners are moving in tandem with state goals. The Belarusian-Chinese joint venture Belgi is actively working to bring a Belarusian-made electric vehicle to the market. Earlier this year, a prototype originally equipped with a gasoline engine was transferred to the Joint Institute of Mechanical Engineering at the National Academy of Sciences for conversion to electric propulsion. This collaboration illustrates a strategic shift toward electrification that leverages international expertise while keeping manufacturing anchored at home. [RIA Novosti attribution]
Meanwhile, in the broader regional market, the landscape is evolving with new energy-efficient models entering showrooms. Dongfeng is preparing to begin selling the Forthing U-Tour V9, a full-size minivan, in the first quarter of next year. Unveiled at the Munich Motor Show in September, the vehicle is pitched to compete with established models like the Toyota Alphard. Availability includes both gasoline-powered and hybrid variants, reflecting a transitional period where traditional engines and electrification coexist as manufacturers balance performance, efficiency, and cost. [Dongfeng press coverage attribution]
In a parallel development, GAC is signaling plans to roll out three new products in Russia in 2024, signaling ongoing expansion and product diversification in key markets. These moves collectively illustrate how regional automakers are expanding their portfolios to meet evolving consumer demand for more efficient, versatile, and technologically advanced vehicles. [GAC corporate communications attribution]