The next phase for the St. The Russian AvtoVAZ plant was unveiled at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). The collaboration with a Chinese partner in St. Petersburg aims to establish a new conveyor line dedicated to assembling cars. This update comes through TASS, quoting Maxim Sokolov, the president of the company.
“Soon, at the upcoming St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, a conveyor line will be launched at the former Nissan facility, which is now the Lada St. Petersburg factory. The line will handle car assembly and represents a joint project with our Chinese manufacturing partners,” stated a company manager.
Details about which Chinese partner will participate in the car production were not disclosed by Sokolov. The company remains reserved about naming the ally involved in this co production effort.
AvtoVAZ has been signaling plans to begin vehicle production at the former Nissan plant in St. Petersburg during the late spring to early summer period. The site is central to the automaker’s strategy to expand manufacturing capacity in the region and leverage international cooperation to accelerate output.
Industry sources indicate that the Chinese FAW Group may be involved with AvtoVAZ at the St. Petersburg factory. The Nissan plant, now under AvtoVAZ management, could see production of a refreshed FAW Bestune T77 crossover. The anticipated updates would include an enhanced interior and a large, nearly full-width digital display dominating the front cabin panel, aligning with trends in modern crossover design and in-car technology.
The news arrives as ongoing shifts in the Russian automotive sector continue to unfold. Observers note that the supply chain for certain components has faced disruptions. For instance, the supply of clutch actuators used in Lada AMT robotic gearboxes has been interrupted in Russia, and expectations for resuming imports remain uncertain. This situation underscores the multi-faceted challenges and strategic responses shaping vehicle production in the region.
Industry analysts expect the collaboration to focus on integrating advanced assembly lines with localized production capacity while benefiting from the expertise and scale of international partners. The project signals a broader push to modernize production facilities, improve efficiency, and expand the lineup offered by the Lada brand in the domestic market. Stakeholders will be watching how this partnership influences overall output, product refresh cycles, and the pace at which new models reach dealerships across Russia and neighboring markets. The forum provides a timely platform for announcing such strategic alignments and clarifying the direction of the company’s manufacturing roadmap.
In parallel, discussions around electrification, supplier diversification, and quality control are likely to accompany the new line. As AvtoVAZ positions itself to compete more vigorously, the collaboration with a Chinese partner is seen as a potential catalyst for accelerating modernization, adopting new technologies, and expanding export opportunities. Observers believe the initiative could help the plant leverage international manufacturing standards and broader market access, reinforcing AvtoVAZ’s commitment to evolving its product portfolio while maintaining a steady supply for local consumers. Attribution: industry reports and statements from executive leadership cited in TASS coverage.