Why Russia Can't Make Cars? The Bitter Truth of the Automotive Industry
Why, after a hundred years, have we still not learned to build our own cars from scratch? This isn't just bad luck, but a real economic mystery, with roots dating back to the Russian Empire. In this video, we'll break down why our auto industry has become a perpetual "catch-up" industry.
The main reasons for our lag:
Historical failure: In 1914, the US had a million cars, while Russia had only 13,000, because for a peasant country, cars were considered "toys."
Copycat strategy: To avoid spending billions on development, we spent decades choosing the path of buying ready-made European technologies.
Currency trap: The Tolyatti plant was built on credit, and the best cars were exported to pay off the debts, leaving domestic customers in line.
The crash of the 1990s: Crime in factories and cars without parts destroyed the reputation of domestic brands.
Fenced-off competition: High duties and government support have created a hothouse environment in which the auto industry lives like a "50-year-old child with his mother."
Badge engineering: Why it's easier today to slap a Moskvich emblem on a Chinese JAC than to create your own.
We explore whether this "patient on government support" has a chance to ever get back on its feet, or whether we'll continue to play catch-up with the departing technology train.