Avtotor, a Kaliningrad-based automobile manufacturer, announced plans to roll out 2,000 vehicles powered by gas engine equipment by the end of 2023. This target was disclosed by Valery Gorbunov, the chairman of the board, and reported by TASS. The commitment underscores a strategic shift toward natural gas propulsion within the company’s product lineup.
Gorbunov noted that the 2,000 units would include both passenger cars and commercial vehicles, all equipped with NGV engines. The initiative was highlighted during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, where Avtotor, the Kaliningrad regional government, Gazprom, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation formalized an agreement aimed at broadening the NGV product range produced in Russia. The partnership indicates a broader governmental and industrial push to diversify propulsion options and reduce dependence on traditional fuels in the domestic market.
Beyond new vehicle production, Avtotor is also pursuing a used-car re-motorization program. This project focuses on replacing conventional fuel-powered engines with electric powertrains in eligible vehicles, signaling the company’s broader interest in electrification alongside its NGV strategy. The dual track reflects ongoing efforts within the regional and national automotive ecosystem to explore multiple pathways for sustainable mobility.
Context for these developments includes past considerations of production alignment at the Hyundai plant in Russia, with industry stakeholders watching how such decisions might influence local manufacturing capacity and employment. The sequence of discussions and agreements around Avtotor’s gas-powered plans highlights the evolving landscape of Russia’s automotive sector as it adapts to new energy technologies and state-supported initiatives.
Overall, Avtotor’s announcements illustrate a multi-pronged approach to vehicle propulsion that combines natural gas engines for new offerings with electrification in the used-car segment, all within a framework of regional support and national policy. The company thus positions itself to contribute to Russia’s strategy of expanding NGV production while exploring the potential benefits of electrified remotorization for a portion of its fleet, in step with regional development goals and energy sector collaborations. At stake is the modernization of local manufacturing capabilities and the potential for a more diversified and resilient automotive industry in Kaliningrad and beyond, as partners align to advance these propulsion technologies and meet evolving market demands. (Source: TASS, with participation from Gazprom and regional authorities)