Avtotor, the Kaliningrad-based plant, has chosen to refrain from speaking with AvtoVAZ to the media, according to information provided by Avtotor’s press service to socialbites.ca. The stance is clear: the company will not engage in discussions that are deemed unproductive or sensationalized and will not participate in what it views as a kitchen-table dispute that could politicize industry matters. The press service emphasized that no comments will be made about the present situation, and they requested that media outlets drop the topic from their coverage for the time being.
The press service further noted that Avtotor operates under the Private Investment Agreement with the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Kaliningrad Region. This agreement outlines the obligations and investment commitments governing Avtotor’s activities, and the implementation of these requirements is subject to the oversight and evaluation of the regulatory authorities. In this context, the company underscored that information about the outcomes of its activities is accessible and that stakeholders are encouraged to monitor the progress of Avtotor’s investment initiatives through the annual press conference format, which serves as a formal update mechanism.
Earlier, at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2024, AvtoVAZ President Maxim Sokolov gave a pointed rebuttal to Avtotor President Denis Pak during a discussion about the rising prices of Lada vehicles. In that exchange, Sokolov referenced the history of the neighboring company, asserting that Avtotor has not produced domestic and competitive vehicles since 1996 and that none of its car components have been localized within Avtotor’s operations. He questioned which interests Avtotor truly serves, highlighting a perceived disconnect between the company’s production footprint and domestic automotive localization goals.
In related news, AvtoVAZ had recently introduced a new model in its Lada lineup, the Lada Vesta. This development was part of the broader push to showcase modernization within the brand and to emphasize domestic design and manufacturing capabilities amid ongoing national industrial strategies. The overall discourse at SPIEF and subsequent communications reflects a broader dialogue about localization, supply chain resilience, and strategic partnerships within Russia’s automotive sector.