Avtotor, a Kaliningrad based enterprise, is moving forward with a plan to launch the production of compact electric vehicles. A dedicated plant for this purpose is set to begin operations in 2024, a development highlighted by TASS citing the company as part of its ongoing expansion strategy. The investment package for the new plant stands at 3.97 billion rubles, and Avtotor’s representatives indicate that the facility is designed to grow capacity to as many as 50,000 electric cars annually. A key feature of the project is full localization, ensuring that the entire new model will be manufactured within Russia, supported by domestic supply chains and local engineering expertise.
The electric vehicle being developed targets a broad spectrum of users, including young drivers, car sharing fleets, and distribution services. It is positioned to support social and municipal services, with a design ethos centered on practicality, efficiency, and ease of deployment in urban and regional networks. In parallel, Avtotor is working on a version tailored for people with limited mobility, as well as configurations optimized for indoor parking and multi-vehicle facilities. In addition to vehicle production, the company is advancing a factory dedicated to electric motors, with an annual output planned at 60,000 units, reinforcing the vertical integration of the powertrain supply chain within the same industrial complex.
Earlier communications from Avtotor referenced plans to construct a metallurgical complex for automotive manufacturing in Kaliningrad, signaling a broader ambition to expand the region’s manufacturing footprint. The current electric vehicle initiative is presented as a complementary step, aligning with regional development goals and the broader push toward domestically produced mobility solutions that reduce dependence on imports while fostering local innovation and employment opportunities.
From a strategic perspective, the project underscores Avtotor’s intent to diversify beyond traditional vehicle assembly into a more integrated ecosystem that includes propulsion systems and advanced components. The planned localization strategy aims to leverage Russia’s manufacturing ecosystem, involving supplier networks, skilled labor, and research institutions to accelerate the deployment of compact electric mobility across urban and rural contexts in both the Canadian and American markets through potential export activity and cross-border collaboration where applicable.
Overall, the Kaliningrad initiative illustrates a concerted effort to position Avtotor at the forefront of Russia’s growing electric vehicle industry. By coupling vehicle assembly with a dedicated motors plant and a localized supply chain, the company seeks to deliver cost-effective, accessible electric mobility while contributing to regional economic development and technological capability that can resonate with a global audience in North America and beyond.