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Belarusian car maker BelGee eager to double domestic sales

MINSK, 22 February (BelTA) – SZAO BelGee intends to double car sales on the Belarusian market, BelTA learned from Belarusian First Deputy Industry Minister, BelGee Acting Director General Gennady Svidersky at a press conference on 22 February.

The official said: “Deliveries to Russia continue. Last year the share of sales in Russia totaled 65%, with the rest sold in Belarus. We expect roughly the same figure this year although we would like to double sales on the Belarusian market. Anyway, our marketing projections mention it.”

In 2018 natural persons represented 65% of BelGee car buyers while corporations accounted for 35% of the total number. “In 2018 we had to commission the factory, test all the modifications. The commercial production of two crossovers and one sedan began. We received a total of 27 modifications and six colors. We offer modifications to the market depending on demand. So far the enterprise has made over 10,000 cars. It now employs 1,200 people. They are trained. We are fully staffed for the full-scale operation of one shift. We offered a new modification – 1.8 Turbo – to the market on 13 February. We see an increased interest in it and hear good feedback,” Gennady Svidersky said.

BelGee has secured a localization rate of 50%. “Powertrains, rear and front axles, tires, car batteries are made in Belarus. The process to increase the localization rate continues this year. Since we now make seats, radiators, and engines, we will have to increase the localization of production of these components. We intend to do that in 2019 and 2020,” the official said.

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