- Chinese automaker Geely is considering assembling its cars in Belarus at one of the local auto plants.
- Rival Chinese carmaker Chery tried unsuccessfully to cut an assembly deal with the Belarus government.
- Geely may build the MK sedan, as well as a compact crossover and hatchback.
MINSK, Belarus — Chinese automaker Geely is considering assembling its cars in Belarus at one of the local auto plants, according to Sergey Varivoda, deputy chairman of the Belarusian Scientific-Industrial Association.
Financial details of the project, as well as the names of the cars that are planned for production in Belarus, were not disclosed. Local analysts, however, expect Geely to assemble its compact MK sedan, as well as an urban crossover and a compact hatchback.
Most of the future cars are expected to be sold in Belarus, as well as in Russia and Kazakhstan.
Geely is not the first Chinese automaker trying to organize vehicle production in Belarus. In 2009, Chery Automobile had talks with the Belarus government about joint production of its cars at the the Minsk Automobile Plant, the country's flagship auto producer. The Chinese company was unable to reach final agreement with the authorities and elected instead to shift assembly of its cars to Ukraine and Turkey.
If everything moves ahead, Geely plans to source components locally with the Belarus Automotive Components enterprise.
Inside Line says: Chinese automakers would like to use Russian assembly plants as a springboard into western Europe.
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