Putin sort of right about something, but ...

[Valdosta]

Last edited Fri Dec 15, 2023, 12:54 PM - Edit history (1)

Putin blames higher car prices on foreign producers' exit from Russia
Reuters (on their own site)

MOSCOW, Dec 14 (Reuters) - The departure of foreign auto makers from Russia has ultimately caused domestic car prices to rise, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday, a rare acknowledgement of the harm caused by Western measures imposed over Moscow's actions in Ukraine.

Most European, Japanese and South Korean carmakers suspended production and gradually left the Russian market following Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, taking technology, know-how and access to parts with them.

Putin said car prices had risen by about 40%, without specifying a period, blaming this on low production and domestic carmakers' increased costs as they import components.

"When European brands left Russia - European, Japanese, South Korean - several issues arose," Putin said. And of course, they left with components.

"Certain costs are still linked to the fact that, one way or another, the (Russian) producer still sources these same imported components, but already at another price. And this leads to higher prices."

...

Leaves unaddressed why they left.

[Backseat Driver]

1. F*(+ Putin - He can't even provide flushing toilets and showers to near 30% of his citizens! n/t

OTOH - There are old apartments in NYC that still have old bathtubs in kitchens without cabinets and small, shared "facilities" in the hallways.

[Prairie Gates]

2. He needs to dig up the specs for the old East German Trabants and put a Trabant 1.2

straight into production.