In a recent briefing at the Petersburg International Economic Forum, Yuri Borisov, serving as Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, outlined a practical path for bolstering domestic automotive production. He suggested that moving toward cars with simplified specifications could help safeguard factory operations and reduce the losses that come with extended downtime. The argument centers on ensuring uninterrupted output during periods of adjustment, especially when supply chains, tooling, and skilled labor are aligned with a leaner production model. By prioritizing domestic capability over the immediate deployment of the full array of safety and comfort features, the state aims to keep plants running and preserve overall industrial momentum while strategic reforms take shape. This approach, Borisov indicated, is not a permanent retreat from standards but a measured, temporary shift designed to withstand the pressures of transition and maintain employment and regional economic stability. The broader objective is to protect the volume of manufacturing, sustain jobs, and ensure that the sector remains a reliable pillar of the economy as other modernization steps are planned and implemented in due course.
The Deputy Prime Minister’s remarks underscore a decision that favors a staged retooling of production capabilities rather than an abrupt halt or a prolonged reduction in output. It is presented as a necessary compromise: a pause in some of the more advanced or costly features in order to keep assembly lines active, keep supply chains intact, and avoid the heavy costs associated with idling factories. This line of thinking emphasizes continuity for workers, suppliers, and regional plants, even as engineers and policymakers collaborate to align future models with evolving domestic capacity. In Borisov’s view, the temporary concessions will act as a bridge, providing breathing space for ongoing optimization without jeopardizing the core objective of sustaining a robust auto industry within national borders.
Echoing this sentiment, Denis Manturov, a former Minister of Industry and Trade, expressed confidence in building a fully domestic program to manufacture essential automotive safety components, including airbags. Manturov stressed that achieving self-sufficiency in airbag production would rely on a coordinated effort across the broader mechanical engineering sector and the chemical industry. He highlighted the need for close cooperation among manufacturers, suppliers, and research institutions to develop and scale local capabilities, reduce reliance on imports, and create a resilient supply network. The emphasis is on assembling a holistic domestic ecosystem where mechanical design, materials science, and advanced manufacturing converge to deliver reliable, high-quality safety systems. Such an approach would not only enhance national industrial sovereignty but also position Russia to respond more effectively to market demands and external shocks while gradually enhancing the overall competitiveness of its automotive sector.