Carmaker Mercedes-Benz stops exports to Russia

Created: 2022-03-02 21:36

The Mercedes star at the main plant in Stuttgart.

© Bernd Weißbrod/dpa

The longer the war in Ukraine goes on, the more German corporations are questioning their joint ventures with the Russians.

Deliveries are often stopped.

Stuttgart - Against the background of the Russian attack on Ukraine, another German car manufacturer pulls the ripcord.

Mercedes-Benz initially stopped exporting to Russia and stopped manufacturing there.

The company announced this in Stuttgart.

"Mercedes-Benz will stop exporting cars and vans to Russia as well as local production in Russia until further notice," says a brief statement.

No further details were given.

Almost three years ago, Mercedes inaugurated its first car plant not far from Moscow - at that time in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The production facility, built for more than 250 million euros, offers more than 1000 jobs.

Cooperation with Ukrainian suppliers

Among other things, they work together with suppliers in Ukraine who supply various components for vehicle production, the carmaker said.

"We are monitoring the situation closely and are in close contact with our suppliers in order to work intensively together on solutions to secure our supply chains."

This includes, among other things, the relocation of production volumes to other supplier locations.

In addition, shift planning in individual plants will be temporarily adjusted from next week.

Failures should be avoided "as best as possible," the company said, emphasizing: "Our plants are currently running worldwide."

Withdrawal from the Russian market

Several other German companies had previously supported the first waves of sanctions and announced their withdrawal from the Russian market.

The world's largest truck manufacturer Daimler Truck has also temporarily suspended its activities in Russia, including its cooperation with the armored car manufacturer Kamaz.

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Volkswagen subsidiary Skoda is missing parts from Ukraine

Airbus sees only a few orders in danger

As a key industry in Germany, the consequences of the Ukraine war could hit the German auto industry hard, because important parts and raw materials are also missing.

The association of the automotive industry announced that supply chains would be interrupted by Russia's acts of war.

Transport is restricted, production in supplier companies is canceled.

A reliable outlook is difficult: "But one thing is certain: There will be further impairments in the production of vehicles in Germany." The reason is that important parts are missing and there could be a shortage of raw materials.

Several German automakers had already reported production stoppages.

According to the industry association VDA, there are 49 production sites of German suppliers and manufacturers in Russia and the Ukraine.

dpa