Foreign cars in the State Duma garage are being auctioned. Reports from the Parliamentary newspaper, based on information from the Presidential Administration, indicate that a portion of these vehicles is being sold through official auctions as part of a fleet refresh program. The objective is straightforward: recycle older company cars into funds that support the procurement of newer models and essential equipment for parliamentary use. The auctions are part of a carefully managed process that governs how retired vehicles are handled, ensuring transparency and accountability in the maintenance of the State Duma’s transportation assets. This approach highlights how high-level state bodies repurpose assets to sustain ongoing operations and modernization efforts.
Vehicles retired between 2008 and 2014, notably Ford Focus and Ford Mondeo models, are among those entering the auction stream following a formal replacement cycle. The proceeds from these sales are allocated to fund the purchase of fresh cars and equipment for parliamentary staff and officials, reinforcing the commitment to up-to-date logistics support for the legislative process. The retired fleet often features cars that have accrued significant mileage or require costly repairs, raising questions about cost efficiency and long-term maintenance strategy. This practice is described as a pragmatic way to reallocate resources toward more reliable and safer transportation assets.
According to the reporting, the auctioned vehicles have surpassed their useful life and demand substantial repair work, with such cars comprising about a quarter of the State Duma’s overall fleet. This reality underscores ongoing asset management challenges and the balancing act between affordability, safety, and performance for publicly funded fleets. The decision to auction these units is framed as a step toward better utilization of fiscal resources while keeping the fleet modern and serviceable for official duties.
In July 2023, Vyacheslav Volodin, the Speaker of the State Duma, articulated a policy direction urging MPs to standardize on domestically produced vehicles for official use. The emphasis was on prioritizing models from Moskvich, Lada, and Aurus, while signaling a broader stance against relying on cars from unfriendly countries. This position reflects a broader national strategy aimed at supporting domestic automotive production and reducing dependence on foreign brands for government operations.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade has compiled a list of vehicles recommended for civil servants to use primarily for official purposes, highlighting Lada, UAZ, Aurus, and Moskvich as preferred options. Volodin added that deputies would predominantly utilize Lada, Aurus, and Moskvich models, aligning parliamentary practice with industrial policy goals. The initiative is presented as a way to demonstrate confidence in homegrown automotive brands and to reinforce the resilience of public sector mobility in future deployments.
Federation Council President Valentina Matvienko defended the use of domestic cars by authorities, noting personal experience with Aurus and Mercedes-Benz prior to this, which is cited to illustrate the practical transition toward national products. Her stance aligns with a broader state narrative that domestic manufacturing can meet high official standards while contributing to the country’s industrial sovereignty. The emphasis remains on ensuring that public servants have reliable, locally produced vehicles that meet safety and performance expectations.
Earlier automotive expert assessments suggested that the domestic car initiative is being treated as a test of the market’s readiness to support government needs. These opinions point to a measured approach, where policy experiments are observed for efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness before broader rollout. The overarching theme across these discussions is a careful, incremental shift toward domestically produced mobility solutions for state functions, balanced with practical considerations about durability and serviceability in varied conditions.