With the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, many automakers have announced intentions to stop business with Russia. BMW and Ford made statements which indicate they will no longer produce cars with their Russian joint partners and they will stop all operations related with the country.
BMW went further to state that they will no longer export vehicles to Russia. In addition, the automaker will no longer produce cars locally with their joint partner, Russian automaker, Avtotor.
A company spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal, “we will stop our local production and export for the Russian market until further notice,” citing “the current geopolitical situation.”
Ford has a joint venture with Russia’s Soller. The two build commercial vans in the country, however, those operations be put on hold as well.
“In recent years, Ford has significantly wound down its Russian operations, which now focus exclusively on commercial van manufacturing and Russian sales through a minority interest in the Sollers Ford joint venture,” Ford said in a press release. “Given the situation, we have today informed our JV partners that we are suspending our operations in Russia, effective immediately, until further notice.”
Ford took extra steps regarding the Russia – Ukraine conflict, they announced that Ford Fund subsidiary will make a $100,000 donation to the Global Giving Ukraine Relief Fund. The fund provides humanitarian support for Ukrainian citizens displaced during the Russian invasion.
BMW and Ford’s actions against Russia fall in line with what other global manufacturers have been doing, on Monday, General Motors announced it would suspend business in Russia, the company sells 3,000 Cadillac and Chevrolet vehicles annually. Reuters reported that Honda has also suspended Russian exports, and Mazda had similar intentions.