ELABUGA /Republic of Tatarstan/, May 31. /TASS/. Russia plans to export from 70% to 80% of its premium-class Aurus cars, priority is given to the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, then China and Western Europe, CEO of the Aurus company Adil Shirinov told reporters, according to company plans for 2021-2030.

"We are definitely focusing more on exports. We expect exports to account for 70% of all sales. I think that over time it will be 80%, and 20-30% go to the domestic market," he said.

According to Shirinov, the Middle East and North Africa are the priority markets for export and the Chinese and European markets come next.

"Further development will have to go through Asia, I mean mainly the Chinese market, and only after this development, because it’s the most advantageous market, [we will] look at the European market, and South America, and so on," he said.

Aurus is the first Russian premium car brand created from scratch by NAMI (Central Scientific Research Automobile and Automotive Engines Institute). Special versions of Aurus cars are used in the special purpose garage of FSO (Federal Protection Service) for travel by the Prime Minister and the President of the Russian Federation. The shareholders of the Aurus company are NAMI (63.5%), The UEA’s Tawazun Defense Security & Development Fund (36%) and Sollers (0.5%).