09.06.2021
SOLLERS has taken up a course towards "deeper localization" of Mazda vehicle and engine production, which has been launched at Mazda Sollers facilities in Vladivostok. SOLLERS GROUP General Director Vadim Shvetsov made an announcement to that effect during the Russia-Japan business dialog.
The event, which took place on June 5 as part of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, was attended by Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Maxim Reshetnikov and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan Hiroshi Kajiyama.
"In this year, marred by the pandemic, we've succeeded in the challenging mission of launching a machining shop for Mazda engine parts in Vladivostok. Last year we invested 2 billion rubles in the machining business, taking up a course towards organizing local production of these engines from domestically made parts. I should also mention that all these engines are to be exported to Japan and other countries. We are setting off on a long but interesting journey towards organizing local production of these engines and cars together with our Japanese partners," said Vadim Shvetsov.
He added that it has also been decided to localize the manufacture of car electronics: "Using Russian software, we've started, together with our Japanese colleagues, to manufacture electronic driver assistance devices — ADAS systems. eCall, a European system similar to ERA-GLONASS for the automatic notification of road accidents, is being implemented on the basis of Russian telematics".
Another trend of the last year, remarked upon by Vadim Shvetsov, was the rapid development of mobility services based on digital solutions. "Russia remains among the world leaders in terms of carsharing development. We expect many customers, especially in the commercial sector, to give up car ownership in favor of subscriptions. In 2020, we created the Wize digital subscription platform and started offering car subscriptions to Russian customers, also seeing a strong interest from Japanese companies and financial institutions in the service. We hope to attract our Japanese colleagues to cooperation in this new line of business," Vadim Shvetsov concluded.
