AvtoVAZ Advances Toward Lada Granta Production Restart
AvtoVAZ is edging closer to resuming vehicle manufacturing on the Lada Granta line, signaling a careful, phased restart after a period of disruption. Reports indicate that stamping, engine assembly, and chassis production have already come back online, with the assembly line anticipated to restart on a selected June date. Earlier estimates from the company’s workforce union suggested a timely restart window. The plan emphasizes a streamlined restart that relies partially on components sourced from abroad, reflecting a gradual return to full-scale production amid ongoing supply constraints.
Looking back at the spring period, the company halted operations at its plants in Togliatti and Izhevsk owing to a shortage of electronic components. The pause also impacted the summer holiday schedule, which was adjusted to run from early April into late April. After workers returned for a short period, production paused again due to holidays in May. Although there was an expectation to resume mid-May, operations remained stalled, and workers received pay totaling about two-thirds of their average salary during the stoppage. These pauses illustrate how global supply-chain pressures can translate into local production schedules while ensuring wage protections for the workforce.
At the end of May, AvtoVAZ named a new chairman who outlined a commitment to restart production in early June during an internal briefing. The immediate objective centers on reactivating the Granta line with a simplified specification rather than rolling out a fully equipped model. This aligns with a shift in technical standards that allow the production of cars without certain features such as ABS, airbags, ERA-GLONASS, and with a lower-emission engine. This approach facilitates a quicker return to market while supply chains stabilize, balancing safety, regulatory compliance, and cost considerations during the restart.
- The price range for the simplified model is circulating and is expected to fall between a mid-range bracket, reflecting the pared-down configuration and current market dynamics.
- Updates and details about the restart are circulated through official company communications channels. Ongoing developments are monitored by industry observers and consumer groups for any shifts in pricing or feature sets.