AvtoVAZ, inheriting manufacturing expertise from Nissan, is pressing forward with electric vehicle production capabilities and is actively seeking new partners to collaborate at the St. Petersburg plant. This information came from the company’s press service after a meeting between AvtoVAZ President Maxim Sokolov and Alexander Gurov, head of the regional branch of the Union of Mechanical Engineers.
During the discussions, the president noted that the new site for the plant has strong potential. AvtoVAZ is open to additional joint projects, including the production of an electric car designed in St. Petersburg. The company’s public statement underscored the seriousness of its intent to expand collaboration and accelerate local EV development in partnership with regional manufacturers and suppliers.
Sokolov highlighted expectations for the second half of 2023, pointing to the planned start of production for several Lada models in St. Petersburg and the accompanying localization efforts. The vision is to establish a robust lineup that leverages the city’s resources, talent pool, and existing infrastructure to bring new vehicles to market more swiftly and with greater regional content.
Earlier reports indicated that KamAZ conducted testing of a modernized city electric bus, signaling that the broader sector is actively advancing in electric mobility. This activity aligns with AvtoVAZ’s strategy to strengthen its footprint in the domestic EV landscape, foster regional partnerships, and diversify its product range to meet evolving transportation needs in Russia and neighboring markets (industry press briefings; company statements).”