Russia is ready to conduct joint activities with US electric car maker Tesla on condition that the technology is localized and added value is created in the country, Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov said.

Last week, Tesla founder Ilon Musk said the company may enter the Russian market in the near future and set up its own production in the country. The Ministry of Industry and Trade later invited the American entrepreneur to Moscow to discuss construction of the company's plant in the country.

As Manturov said in an interview with Argumenty i Fakty, the main task of the state is to create added value that remains in the country and localize technologies that are not available in Russia or for which the country would like to obtain additional competences.

"Therefore, if Mr. Musk will cooperate with us in terms of technology exchange and value-added creation - why not? We are ready for such cooperation," the minister said.

In his opinion, for a "large-scale breakthrough" on electric driving in Russia, it is necessary for electric cars to be able to compete on cost with traditional cars, not only gasoline cars, but also those that run on compressed and liquefied gas.

Made in Russia // Made in Russia

Author: Ksenia Gustova