China fills void as foreign brands flee Russia

Good going: Geely’s Geometry A (GE11) at a car show in Shanghai. The company’s vehicle sales held steady in July and are helping propel Chinese brands into the ranks of the best-selling cars in Russia. — Reuters

SHANGHAI: Chinese cars, televisions and smartphones are replacing German and South Korean imports in Russia as its market is reshaped by sanctions and an exodus of brands in the wake of the conflict in Ukraine.

The result is upending trade, with Russia seeking to insulate itself from further disruptions by pivoting to goods from countries that haven’t joined sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies.