With average Russian wages now below that of China, Russia is hoping to export its way out of it current economic hole and possibly repeat some of the magic that the Middle Kingdom enjoyed in the 90s when it became the "factory to the world." But while the Kremlin is talking alot about boosting trade with various partners into the hundreds of billions of dollars progress is slow. 

Cars exports are the place where Russia has a realistic chance of increasing exports, particularly to the rest of Europe, but the numbers so far remain tiny. 

Toyota's plant in St Petersburg increased exports of its cars 80% y/y in January-June to 3003 units, the company said on August 29.

Thanks to the launch of a new model, RAV4 crossover, the plant's total output during the period was 112% up y/y to 34,465 units, of which RAV4 accounted for 18,203 vehicles.

According to the Association of European Business, in January-July, 18,689 Toyota RAV4 vehicles were sold in Russia, which made it the 8^th best selling model. Sales of cars and light commercial vehicles in Russia grew by 15% year-on-year in June, following gains of 9.4% and 15% y/y in March and May, according to the AEB as the car market finally returns to growth. 

Meanwhile, other automotive companies that have Russian plants are also stepping up exports.

Nissan's exports were up 5% in January-June, with most of the exported vehicles going to Belarus and Kazakhstan, just like Toyota's.

Still, the goal of entering markets in Eastern Europe, which carmakers operating in Russia previously stated, is yet to be achieved.

Ford Sollers exports cars to Belarus, Kazakhstan and Armenia, and Hyundai, which has a plant in St Petersburg, sells its vehicles to Kazakhstan, Egypt, Lebanon and Ukraine.

A Huyndai representative was quoted by Vedomosti as saying that Russia-made cars were specifically developed for the Russian markets and that government support for exports, such as covering import duties in foreign markers, would be needed to boost exports of cars made in Russia.

Overall, Russian car exports were up 14% in January-June to 43,150, of which CIS states accounted for 22,250 vehicles.