Last year there was further embarrassment when Mr
Putin tried out a Lada Granta as a stunt to promote Russian-made vehicles.
First the boot got jammed shut and then the prime minister took five
attempts to start the sedan. He later said he had mixed up the pedals.
However, officials will not be obliged to switch to native brands such as the
notorious Lada or the larger Volga, which is said to echo its name by
handling like a boat. Renaults, Volkswagens and Fords are also produced in
Russia.