MIMS Automobility exhibition site. [Photo/Yongpai App]

The 30th International Trade Fair for Automotive Production, Aftermarket and Service Industry (MIMS Automobility) was held in St. Petersburg for the first time from Aug 25 to 28.

The event attracted over 1,400 companies from 15 countries, with around 50 Ningbo companies forming one of the largest Chinese contingents.

For Ningbo's auto-parts makers, doing business in Russia is about more than selling products — it is also about building trust.

The city exported 15.71 billion yuan ($2.33 billion) worth of goods to Russia in the first five months of this year, up 8.79 percent year-on-year. Cixi, a major auto-parts manufacturing hub in Ningbo, exported 6.5 billion yuan worth of auto parts last year to more than 140 countries and regions.

Chinese vehicles are gaining popularity in Russia, creating growing demand for compatible parts. Ningbo companies are responding with more specialized products designed for local conditions, including extreme cold and heavy-duty driving, while meeting EAC certification requirements.

However, long-term success depends on more than quality and certification. After nearly 20 years in the Russian market, some Ningbo suppliers have seen customers become increasingly interested in Chinese culture as trade ties deepen.

At the St. Petersburg exhibition, one Cixi company presented a Russian-style customized set of Yue kiln celadon tea ware to a long-time client. The gift sparked a new conversation and a new opportunity to supply parts for Chinese trucks in Russia.