The plant will not operate from February 16 to March 6, a Renault representative confirmed. Among the main reasons behind the move, the sources named the ongoing decline in the Russian car market and moving part of the production to the AvtoVAZ factory.
In 2014, Renault sales in Russia dropped by 7 percent, to 194,531 cars sold, while the entire car market slumped by 10.3 percent. In January, Renault sales declined by 32 percent, to 8809 cars. Renault Russia has a production capacity of 188,000 cars a year.
Renault dealers, as quoted by Vedomosti, said they are unaware of the possible suspension of production. However, the move is predictable. According to them, Renault sales in Russia have been hurt by a dramatic surge in prices, more than 26 percent since September and improved performance by Korean companies.
