Feb 28 (Reuters) - Swedish auto supplier Autoliv ( ALV )

has sold its Russian business to local automotive group

Avtodom, which has already snapped up German carmaker

Mercedes-Benz's former plant in the country, Russian corporate

records showed on Friday.

More than a thousand Western companies have exited Russia

since it invaded Ukraine three years ago, often selling for

nominal amounts as Moscow has demanded discounts of at least

60%.

U.S. President Donald Trump's push for a quick deal to end

the war has sparked speculation about whether firms might seek

to stay in Russia or even return, but none have yet announced

plans to do so, and the fate of those companies seized by Moscow

may give them pause for thought.

Autoliv ( ALV ), the world's largest producer of auto safety gear,

was manufacturing airbags, seat belts and steering systems at

its plant in Togliatti around 1,000 km (621 miles) from Moscow

and where Russia's largest carmaker Avtovaz is based.

Autoliv ( ALV ) CEO Mikael Bratt told Reuters in April 2024 that the

company planned to sell to an undisclosed buyer, but needed

approvals that it expected to take a few months. Exit deals from

Russia can often take far longer.

Car dealer Avtodom, which purchased all Mercedes-Benz's

Russian assets in April 2023, became the new owner of

Autoliv's ( ALV ) Russian subsidiary on Thursday, the corporate records

showed. Details of the ownership transfer were first reported by

Russia's Interfax news agency.

Avtodom declined to comment. Autoliv ( ALV ) did not immediately

respond to a request for comment.

In February 2022, Autoliv ( ALV ), along with other companies,

suspended its Russian operations supplying car parts for Western

manufacturers, such as Volkswagen and Renault. Those carmakers

have also sold their assets in Russia.