OREANDA-NEWS. Russian carmakers in March began the lobbying of initiative to delay the transition to the engine "Euro-5". Under the current regulations all cars, produced in the territory of the Customs Union must meet the requirements of "Euro-5" from January 1st, 2016). According to the newspaper "Kommersant" with reference to its sources in the industry, specific documents with the formulation and justification of the idea will be developed in the near future, it is a postponement for a year or two.

According to sources, the initiative has already been discussed at the meetings in Ministry of Industry and Trade and there were no objections ideologically. The Ministry only clarified that the issue of the postponement of the entry into force of environmental requirements requires coordination with other members of the Customs Union. In the Eurasian Economic Commission said that while such proposals were not received.

Question about the terms postponement at the Russian automotive forum was raised by the chairman of the Expert Council on Innovation Industry and machinery of the State Duma, Alfiya Kogogina. According to her, in terms of environment the effects of delay will be minimal, since the difference between the "Euro-4" and "Euro-5" is "small", but economic support for producers will be essential. According to sources, for example, KAMAZ and GAZ will require about 2 billion Rubles each for the transition to "Euro-5". Consumers also need to stay happy, added Alpha Kogogina, because the cars of "Euro-5" standard are more expensive by 10-15%.

Basically now cars of "Euro-5" are produced in Russia by those, who work within the SKD, such as Audi and BMW, said the Head of Research of the analytical agency "AUTOSTAT", Andrew Toptun. Nissan said that the whole line of concern corresponds to "Euro-5", except Almera and Terrano.

Source among automakers emphasizes that the delay "is beneficial to all," even foreign automobile concerns. Indeed, the Korean Hyundai confirmed that the companies can deliver to Russia only cars "Euro-5", but "taking into account fuel quality and the interests of clients, the delay might be advisable. But there are also players that are ready to move, so, only Ford Transit model does not meet requirements at Ford Sollers. AvtoVAZ, according to sources, received the certification of "Euro-6" the last week for deliveries to Europe and it can, in principle, to produce cars of class "Euro-5", but they are only available for export. At the plant it was not clarify whether it is possible a full transition to the standard of "Euro-5" by the end of the year, but at the auto forum the head of AvtoVAZ Bo Andersson asked publicly the head of the department of mechanical engineering and automotive Industry and Trade, Alexander Morozov, not to delay the transition. His position, according to "Kommersant", is shared by the management of the Russian branch of Volkswagen; however, one of the active supporters of postponing is Renault, which controls AvtoVAZ.

Russian automotive industry is traditionally adopts difficult new environmental standards - the introduction of "Euro-4" was postponed five years, and at the initiative of not only manufacturers of car, but also oil companies. Now, however, the latest mentioned companies do not require the postponement (turnover of fuel "Euro-4" should be banned in Russia as from January 1st, 2016, a ban on the "Euro-3" is valid from the beginning of 2015). Vladimir Bespalov from "VTB Capital" agree that now any additional investment and more expensive cars would only worsen the already difficult situation with demand, so that "in terms of short-term prospects the manufacturers, of course, are interested in delaying. "On the other hand, the analyst adds, "the transition to "Euro-5" is needed, it cannot be put off all the time - new difficulties will arise every time”.