The Russian government has loosened safety regulations in order to resume production.
Sanctions due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine cut off access to various parts.
We can scarcely imagine that this is happening, but it is: The Russian government has essentially thrown out all regulations so that AvtoVAZ can resume assembling the popular Lada Granta.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine put a stop to part supply chains which forced the assembly to idle completely. Many of the missing parts were safety- and emissions-related but they’re no longer a concern.
As such, these Lada cars will be assembled and delivered without airbags, ABS brakes, electronic stability control, or seat belt pretensioners. What’s more, the absence of some emission regulating components means that the cars will not meet regulations from neighboring countries.
“This definitely points toward a willingness on the Russian government’s part to really sacrifice quality goods and safety in the name of this invasion,” said Jeffrey Edmonds, who was the Obama administration’s director for Russia on the National Security Council, as reported by Automotive News.
Production resumed earlier this month.
Lada Logo | Photo: Lada
