Plans for mass production of Russian electric vehicles under the Amber name are moving forward with a target start in 2025. This development comes from a Telegram channel dedicated to automotive news, Auto Stream, which notes that a new factory will be built by Kaliningrad Avtotor to house the operation.
The L7 class vehicle, described as a heavy quadricycle or voiturette, was designed by a collaboration between Mospolitekh and the Moscow Aviation Institute combined with a research institute. Its frame is a panel-based structure built on a tubular support framework, and the exterior features molded composite components. A pre-production prototype has already been completed, and five units are slated for assembly in 2024. Officials have reiterated that mass production is planned to begin in 2025 as part of a broader localization effort within Russia.
In October this year, Kaliningrad’s Avtotor announced the design concepts for logos representing the two brands Amber Auto and Avtotor Amber, signaling a coordinated branding strategy for the new venture. The planned investment to establish the new production facility is reported at 3.97 billion rubles. When fully operational, the plant is expected to reach a capacity of up to 50 thousand electric vehicles per year, with the aim of complete localization of the model within the Russian market and supply chain.
Earlier, there were indications from the Haval factory in the Tula region that a test assembly of the Haval M6 crossover had begun. While this marks a step forward, observers caution that it is too soon to declare a start date for full-scale production. Sales of the Haval M6 in Russia began in the summer of 2023, with the vehicle coming to market equipped with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine producing 143 horsepower and offering both manual and robotic transmission options.
Additionally, reports have noted the introduction of a refreshed Sollers ST6 pickup model into the Russian market, signaling ongoing diversification in domestic electric and conventional vehicle lines as manufacturers navigate the evolving regulatory and economic landscape. These moves illustrate a broader push toward domestic manufacturing and localization, alongside evolving product lines that blend traditional combustion powertrains with emerging electric mobility strategies, all aimed at strengthening Russia’s automotive sector in the coming years.
Market watchers in Canada and the United States are observing these developments for potential export implications, supplier realignments, and possible collaborations that could shape regional EV availability and pricing. The Amber project, with its planned high-volume output, represents a notable effort in expanding electric mobility within Russia while signaling a broader trend toward domestic production and localization of advanced vehicle platforms.
As the global EV market accelerates, the Russian emphasis on localized manufacturing highlights a strategy to reduce import dependencies and foster domestic advanced manufacturing capabilities. Industry analysts will be watching the ramp-up timeline, production output, and the integration of the Amber line with the broader automotive ecosystem in Russia and neighboring markets. (Source: Auto Stream Telegram).