Russia's Deripaska Bails On Magna

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

State Department “undesirable” and reportedly mobbed-up Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska has given up his 20 percent share in contract manufacturer and supplier Magna International. Marketwatch reports that Deripaska had bought into Magna in order to reap expertise in developing his own Russian-based automotive empire, but the credit crunch has him backing out. In fact, Deripaska had laid his 20m Class-A Magna shares as collateral for their purchase, and thanks to major retreats in the Russian stock market, Deripaska is simply walking away from his $1.54b investment. Magna stock has dropped 45 percent since Deripaska bought in, further exasperating his position and forcing his Basic Elements holding group to repritoritize. Meanwhile, Magna is happy to have had the opportunity to gain access to Russia’s auto manufacturing market, through the Deripaska-owned GAZ Group. Though Deripaska’s stake in Magna will be sold off by an unnamed creditor, collaboration could continue between the two firms. “We believe that the Russian market still holds significant opportunities for us and intend to continue to pursue joint opportunities with Russian Machines and GAZ, as well as other opportunities to advance our position in Russia,” says Magna co-CEO Siegfried Wolf.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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 3 comments
  • Kevin Kevin on Oct 06, 2008

    Just another sign of the spectacular Russian implosion that's just around the corner.

  • Jeff Puthuff Jeff Puthuff on Oct 06, 2008

    Oleg could have had a margin call. They're (the Russians) not faring too well in the credit freeze either.

  • Landcrusher Landcrusher on Oct 06, 2008

    The problem with ill gotten gains is that they don't usually lead to a dependable flow of funds.

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