CZ🏛️ PoliticsCenter23 hr. ago☆Follow⤓CiteShare

In Russia, they're assembling BMWs from old stock, and they charge millions for the chicken.

The article discusses the unauthorized production of BMW vehicles in Kaliningrad, Russia, following the withdrawal of BMW from the Russian market after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. With the departure of BMW, a large stockpile of components remained at the Avtotor plant, leading local workers to start assembling cars using these leftover parts. According to reports from the newspaper Kommersant, over 145 such vehicles were sold last year. These vehicles, including models like the X5, X6, and X7, are assembled from components dating back to 2022 and are registered as new despite their outdated design. As the supply of original parts dwindles, local manufacturers are replacing them with domestically produced parts, altering the vehicles' internal components. BMW has distanced itself from this situation, warning of risks associated with these vehicles due to lack of oversight. The production continues, with prices ranging between 11.9 to 13.6 million rubles, making them more affordable than imported cars through unofficial channels. Despite high costs, demand remains strong among Russian elites.