OREANDA-NEWS. Kaluga plant "PSMA Rus" began the searching of Russian suppliers of automotive components due to the devaluation of the ruble.

"We are very dependent on the exchange rate. And if we buy some spare parts in Euros and we are taking them out of Europe, it has a negative impact on our business. So we want to increase the number of Russian spare parts by 10% by the end of 2015, "- said the company's CEO, Jean-Christophe Marchal, at the international forum "Auto Evolution-2014" in Kaluga.

According to the newspaper "Vedomosti", a year ago at a similar event, he complained that the company could not agree with any of the Russian automotive components suppliers. All suppliers of automotive components "PSMA Rus" - are global players, which opened in Russia its production capacity, said the head of the company. "I think that Russian suppliers could work with us, but, of course, we must still provide the necessary quality," - said a year ago Mr.Marchal. In October 2013, the production reached the level of localization of 34% (for Peugeot and Citroen). The required level of localization - is 60%, the company said earlier.

Purchases of Russian components will save directly and they will reduce logistics costs now, says Jean-Christophe Marchal. Carmaker is looking for suppliers not only of the first but also the second and third levels, and also it intends to localize the supply of raw materials. "We will not ask for additional certification, if you [the supplier] have been working with Russian automakers. We will simplify the certification from the side of "PSMA Rus". The most important thing for us - is the quality and competitiveness", - said General Director of the company. The automaker also wants to cooperate with the companies of the Customs Union. "We want these countries to be integrated in the network of our parent company. We have made the first step - in Kaluga, we produce a number of spare parts needed to repair our cars in other countries", - said Mr.Marchal.

Joint venture PSA Peugeot Citroen and Mitsubishi in Kaluga produces Peugeot 408, Citroen C4, Mitsubishi Outlander and Pajero Sport. Production capacity permit to produce up to 125,000 vehicles per year, the investment in the joint venture were 550 million Euro.