"Excessively Inadequate"... Russia Launches Cars Without 'Safety Devices' Due to Parts Shortage

According to the British daily newspaper The Telegraph on the 11th (local time), the Russian automobile manufacturer Avtovaz recently released a new car without safety features such as airbags and anti-lock braking systems (ABS). The photo is unrelated to any specific expressions in this article. [Image source=Pixabay]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Recently, foreign media reported that a Russian automobile manufacturer released a new car without safety features such as airbags and anti-lock braking systems (ABS).

Airbags and ABS are important devices for protecting passengers and ensuring safety in vehicles. Airbags inflate during a collision to protect occupants from impact. ABS prevents the tires from locking up during braking. Especially on slippery roads caused by heavy rain or snow, ABS prevents the tires from locking and losing braking power, which helps stop the vehicle from skidding.

According to the British daily The Telegraph on the 11th (local time), the Russian automaker Avtovaz launched the latest model of the Lada, known as the "people's car," called the Lada Granta Classic 2022.

This model lacks safety features such as airbags and ABS. The media also reported that it does not have pollution control devices or satellite navigation.

This appears to be a result of Western sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine. In April, Russia experienced supply shortages due to being unable to import automotive parts from the West. Consequently, automobile production dropped by 61% compared to the same month last year, and some parts prices increased about sevenfold.

Subsequently, in May, the Russian government significantly lowered the safety standards applied to domestically produced vehicles. Regulations were relaxed to allow cars to be sold without airbags and ABS.

Avtovaz designed the new car to use only parts produced domestically or in allied countries. While this allowed them to circumvent Western sanctions, the specifications became sparse.

Within Russia, there are reactions that this new car is an important first step to overcoming Western sanctions against Russia, while there is also considerable cynical criticism that it is "excessively poor." Russian automotive journalists particularly pointed out the absence of pollution control devices. While countries worldwide are strengthening regulations on vehicle emissions due to worsening environmental issues, this new car reportedly only meets the European emission standards from 1996.

Meanwhile, the new car is priced at about ?9,500 (approximately 15 million KRW). Avtovaz stated that this is the cheapest price among cars sold in Russia.