Livan Brand Eyes the Russian Market Amid Talks of Local Assembly
The Livan brand, a joint venture between Geely and Lifan Technology formed this year, is looking to establish a foothold in Russia. The planned approach foresees a nationwide dealer network built from the ground up rather than leveraging a preexisting, expansive distribution system. As of now, specifics about model availability in Russia remain under wraps, but there is a clear signal that two models will be included in the initial rollout. One is the Livan X3 Pro, a compact crossover, while another ICE powered model is expected to join the lineup eventually. The company is weighing how to present its products to Russian customers, balancing local preferences with the brand’s broader European and Eurasian strategy.
In formal remarks, a spokesperson from Livan Motors Rus LLC expressed optimism about the X3 Pro. The official highlighted the vehicle’s alignment with customer expectations around quality and comfort and stressed that pricing would reflect the value delivered to buyers. Yet exact timing for when sales will commence in Russia remains undecided, and pricing for the local market has not been finalized. By comparison, in China the X3 Pro is listed at 49.9 thousand yuan, a figure that translates to roughly 512 thousand rubles under current exchange rates. The Russian introduction will likely involve localization considerations to accommodate tariff regimes, consumer preferences, and service network requirements across major urban centers.
As for the electrified future, Livan has not committed to launching fully electric vehicles in Russia at the initial stage. The company did note that EVs could be considered down the line, alongside possible localization efforts that would support local assembly or production. This stance mirrors a cautious, phased approach seen in many new-market entries where manufacturers first test demand and build brand recognition before committing to electrification or large-scale manufacturing investments. Industry observers suggest that Russia’s regulatory landscape, consumer incentives, and infrastructure readiness will play pivotal roles in any future EV strategy from Livan, as the company evaluates long-term profitability and market fit.
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Source: Chinese cars