Russian Assembler Makes Deal With China’s Brilliance

VIENNA – Russian contract assembler Avtomobilnaya Kompaniya Derways will add another Chinese brand to its portfolio.

The company will assemble Brilliance cars from complete-knocked-down kits sourced from Brilliance Auto Group, sources close to the deal tell WardsAuto.

Volume assembly of the Brilliance H530 sedan and V5 cross/utility vehicle is expected to start in October at the Derways plant in Cherkessk. Other models may follow.

The V5 is expected to account for the largest portion of the brand’s total volume in the near future.

The cars will be sold by Brilliance’s Russian subsidiary Brilliance Auto Rus.

It is the second time Brilliance cars will be offered in Russia. The company Irito launched sales of the Brilliance M2 sedan in 2008, but the activity was phased out after a short time because of the economic crisis.

Currently, Derways is assembling Geely and Lifan cars. It plans to launch volume assembly of the Luxgen7 SUV, the first vehicle Derways is building for the Taiwanese brand Luxgen, in the first half of August.

Derways also has an agreement with Chinese auto maker Haima to build the new-generation Haima 3, but it is not clear if or when local assembly of the car will start.