— Which new Livan cars are on the near-term horizon? — The roadmap anticipates two additional models in the coming year. One will be fully electric, the other will run on gasoline. Names are still under consideration. For now, these priorities define the pipeline.
— Will these be crossovers or sedans, and what body types are being considered? — A crossover is the most likely path, given a clear preference for crossovers among Russian buyers. The product strategy will weigh demand and supply for crossovers against both new models.
— In China, Lebanon is recognized as an electric-car maker. Are there plans to develop and supply hybrid vehicles as well? — Currently Livan does not offer hybrids, but there is consideration for a hybrid option tailored to the Russian market. Customer feedback is being gathered and may be routed to the R&D team for future evaluation. A hybrid program is not confirmed yet.
— Companies like Haval, Geely, and Chery have localized production to some extent in Russia or within the EAEU. Is a dedicated meeting in Russia on the agenda? — The question requires two parts. First, the sales volumes needed for assembly. Second, the investments required for a production facility. At this stage, the latter remains challenging.
— Could contract assembly, as seen with Chery at Avtotor, be a path instead of building an own factory? — There is a preference for negotiating through various government channels rather than a single corporate channel. The topic is being discussed across multiple forums.
— Is the expectation tied to 2024 or 2025? — It depends on the outcomes of talks with potential partners. Decisions will follow those discussions.
— If assembly becomes possible, is there interest in mass-producing affordable sedans, crossovers, and electric cars like the Livan X3 Pro? — The emphasis is on the sedan segment due to strong demand from corporate customers. The C-Class crossover also shows high demand, and a competitive model is available. The focus will be on these two categories.
— There is talk of strong demand for sedans in corporate fleets. Are there negotiations with specific companies to supply them? — Discussions are ongoing with a major dealer group. Multiple rounds have taken place, shaping the approach to fleet sales.
— Are the buyers large private owners or government agencies? — Dealer companies are the primary buyers in this context.
— What role does the Russian market play for Lebanon in terms of export volumes, and how important could it be in the future? — Russia is described as a strategic export market for Lebanon. Predicting shares is difficult while growth remains active in the Middle East and regions like South America are also developing rapidly.
— Some dealers complain that Chinese automakers push for short-term contracts. How is the situation evolving? — There is a long-term commitment to the Russian market, with dealer contracts set for three years to ensure stability and continuity. Short-term contracts are not the approach.
— Will there be a dealer bonus rating system, with higher bonuses for top performers and lower bonuses for slower ones? — As Livan expands its presence in Russia, the dealer network is being established. It is premature to categorize dealers into performance tiers. Foundations are being laid, with an eye toward future metrics and elevated standards. A structured rating system may emerge later.
— So, will there be a category-based dealer rating, such as A, B, C, and D? — In time, yes. A standardized classification is anticipated, but it will be introduced after the network matures.