Kremlin tries to look immune to sanctions, but new Russian cars show cracks in the façade

Russian carmaker Avtovaz is producing its popular Lada Granta sedan without many safety features, showing the effects of sanctions as the Kremlin works to appear resilient.

A Russian car company stymied by international sanctions over the country’s invasion of Ukraine resumed production last week but the manufacturer was forced to eliminate key safety features, including air bags, on the latest version of its popular sedan.

Avtovaz halted the production of its Lada brand in March and furloughed many of its workers because it was not able to acquire certain parts due to the sanctions. But, after the Russian government's decision to slash safety regulations, assembly lines roared back to life.

As a result, the company’s affordable four-door passenger car Lada Granta, will no longer feature air bags, anti-lock braking systems, electronic stability control or emergency retraction locks on seat belts. It also fails to fulfill the 21st century emission standards adopted by many of Russia’s neighbors.

Biden announces new sanctions to raise 'economic cost' of Russia's invasion of UkraineApril 6, 202202:22“This is a very retrograde step,” said David Ward, executive president of Global New Car Assessment Programme, a group aimed at developing car safety standards worldwide. He said it was “very sad” and "ironic" that Russia had rolled back safety features, especially as the country serves as the vice-chair of the United Nations' World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations.

“How can they claim to be leading on road safety globally?” Ward said, calling it a "a very symbolic step backwards" for the country that had hosted the first major conference on road safety in 2009. 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/sanctions-force-russia-produce-popular-car-safety-features-even-kremli-rcna32863


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