Russia's fifth International Automobile Exhibition (INTERAUTO 2009) opened on Wednesday in Crocus Expo outside Moscow, with the majority of the world's leading carmakers absent amid the ongoing global financial and economic crisis.

 

Still, around 600 enterprises from 16 countries and regions including Russia, China, Germany and Italy staged their products at three exhibition halls with a total area of 40,000 square meters. Few finished automobiles were present at the expo, and most of the products were auto parts.

 

China-based automotive manufacturer Beiqi Foton Motor announced on Wednesday that they will set up their first overseas subsidiary in Russia. They also unveiled the brand new high-class small truck Aumark C at the exhibition.

 

Dong Haiyang, Foton Motor's deputy general manager, told Xinhua that although Russia's domestic car sales have shrunk drastically due to the ongoing crisis, but the hard times is only temporary.

 

"We remain confident for Russia's car market," he said.

 

Regarding Russia as one of the five biggest market for commercial vehicles around the world, Dong said Foton Motor has set a long-term strategy accordingly, including plans to establish service center and spare parts store here in order to better serve their customers.

 

The auto exhibition will run until Sunday.

From:Xinhua