Russian Automotive Forum

Adam Smith Conferences is grateful to all its speakers, sponsors and delegates for their contributions to the 14th annual Russian Automotive Forum in 2011!

For the 14th year in a row we are pleased to say that our event has been named the most important and influential meeting for the Russian automotive industry, by its more than 500 attendees.

Press coverage summary (in russian)

During an intensive three-day programme, presentations were given on the sector leaders' main strategies and plans, by:

• Bo Andersson, President/CEO, GAZ Group 
• Denis Petrunin, Managing Director, Hyundai Motor CIS 
• Juergen Sauer, President, Mercedes-Benz Russia 
• Igor Gun, General Director, BelMag
• Markus Grob, President, MAG 
• Mark Ovenden, President and Managing Director, Ford of Russia
• David Thomas, President, VOLVO CARS in Russia, Manufacturers Committee Chairman, AEB 
• Ashot Arutyunyan, Marketing and Advertising Director, KAMAZ 
• Bruno Ancelin, Managing Director, Leader of the Eurasian region, Renault of Russia
• Markus Ozegovich, General Director, Volkswagen Group RUS
• Pascal Felten, Director for Quality, AVTOVAZ

Presentations were also made by more than 50 other speakers, representing the biggest companies in Russia's automotive market.

Positive growth patterns in the sector, as a whole and in its separate segments, came as good news to everyone, not least those working in the mid-size and haulage vehicles market, automotive logistics, sales, distribution and marketing.

After the crisis of 2008-2009, and taking into account the 30% growth of the industry in 2010, its excellent start to 2011, and initiatives by Russia's leaders in light of the renewed health of the global economy, Frank Schauff, General Director of the Association of European Businesses in Russia (AEB) believes that"Russia has the potential to become Europe's largest automotive market in the next few years".

Alexey Rakhmanov, Director of the automotive, industrial and agrarian heavy industry department of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, said that the government has received a positive response to introduction of its programme for automobiles' utilisation, which has achieved 16% market growth; however, he confirmed that no other initiatives are planned in the near future.

The Forum also hosted the 5th Russian Automotive Forum awards ceremony. After nominations made by independent voting, the winners were announced as:

• Manager of the year - Bo Andersson, President/CEO, GAZ Group
• Achievement of the year - Volkswagen Group Rus
• Best market entry - The Hyundai Solaris (Hyundai Motor CIS) 
• Best supplier - Severstal
• Investment project - the government of the Russian Federation's "Programme for automobiles' utilisation" 
• Best innovation - The Marussia (Marussia Motors) 

The Forum's delegates expressed their appreciation for a new session, "One-on-one meetings with purchase directors", which provided them with the opportunity to speak directly to purchase directors from major ОЕМs and producers of automotive components:

"Very interesting and useful" - Ksenia Komyagina, Head of New Projects, Purchasing, Volkswagen Rus

"One of the best features of the Forum, which allowed new useful business contacts to be made" - Bengt Aronsson, Project Manager, Global Purchasing Chassis & Bus, SCANIA CV AB

Other testimonials

If the current trends in Russia's automotive market continue, in the next few years it may experience a significant increase in the number of both national and international players operating in it, therefore making the need for communication and networking even greater.

With this in mind, we look forward to continuing our dialogue in March 2012 at the 15th annual Russian Automotive Forum!

Adam Smith Conferences wish everyone in the automotive industry a very successful year!

Please address your suggestions, questions and requests regarding the event programme to Anastasia Varnavskaya at anastasia@adamsmithconferences.com