AvtoVAZ laid out a plan for 2025 that centers on establishing a small-scale CKD assembly operation at the former Nissan facility in Saint Petersburg. This direction was outlined by the company’s chief executive, Maxim Sokolov, in a briefing reported by RIA Novosti. The strategy signals a shift toward localized production as a core pillar of the company’s regional outlook.
He explained that achieving precise vehicle locating and customization requires substantial engineering work and thoughtful reconfiguration of both the main vehicle platform and the upstream component base. As a result, AvtoVAZ intends to progressively localize more steps of the supply chain. The plan begins with SKD (semi-knocked-down) assembly in 2024, followed by CKD (completely knocked-down) assembly targeted for 2025 and 2026. Sokolov noted that the factory would initiate SKD assembly operations as a preliminary phase, laying the groundwork for fuller localization and assembly shifts over the coming years.
Beyond the Saint Petersburg initiative, AvtoVAZ also envisions producing more premium Lada models on the primary production line at the historic April plant. According to Sokolov, the focus will be on higher-segment vehicles, specifically within the C and D classes, as part of a broader product diversification effort designed to extend the brand’s appeal and improve profit margins.
Earlier this December, AvtoVAZ’s leadership in Saint Petersburg signaled expectations for a substantial rebound in output, with a target to produce up to 10,000 new Lada models. The company anticipates resuming production in the second half of the upcoming year, a timeline that aligns with the broader localization and capacity expansion program described by Sokolov. This anticipated ramp is framed as a step toward strengthening domestic manufacturing capability, expanding regional employment, and aligning with the strategic objective of increasing local content across the product lineup.