Intrall could once again produce trucks in Poland Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

International Truck Alliance (Intrall), a Russian-British automotive firm, could return to the market. It is considering opening a new factory in the Tri-city area which could employ 1,000.

According to Puls Biznesu, Intrall is currently in talks with the Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency (PAIiIZ) and the Pomeranian Special Economic Zone regarding the possible investment. Some have said the potential move could set a precedent for further Russian investment in Poland.

“It is difficult to convince Russian companies to invest in Poland. If Intrall’s plans go through with success, other companies will follow in its footsteps,” Ekaterina Belyakova, head trade representative at the Russian Embassy in Poland, told Puls Biznesu.

However, Intrall has a troubled history in Poland. Its local subsidiary, Intrall-Polska, produced cars in Lublin from 2004 to 2007, but stricter European exhaust-emissions standards created problems. The firm entered administration in late 2007.

Speaking to Puls Biznesu earlier this year, PAIiIZ CEO Sławomir Majman noted that Russian investors are very aware of Intrall-Polska’s fate.

“The question always arises: what about Lublin? It is necessary to clear up that situation,” he said.

There is hope that Intrall’s new Polish investment could strengthen PAIiIZ’s connection with Russia, whose investments in Poland have fallen steadily over the last few years. In 2008, for example, the outflow of Russian capital from Poland amounted to €29.7 million.

According to Trojmiasto.pl, if Intrall completes its new investment, it will produce its FSC Lublin van and Tarpan Honker all-terrain pickup in the new factory, which could be located near shipyards in either Gdynia or Szczecin.