After the Renault-Nissan alliance halted the supply of automatic transmissions, AvtoVAZ found itself unable to substitute these units for its Lada lineup. The company has signaled a plan to restart the production of vehicles with automatic gearboxes at the start of the coming year. This intention was communicated by the head of the company, Maxim Sokolov, who outlined the challenges and the path forward in a candid discussion about future capabilities and production priorities.
When asked whether AvtoVAZ was still producing cars with automatic transmissions, Sokolov explained that the current gap exists because the company has not yet adapted a different gearbox to fit its vehicles. Nonetheless, he stressed that the necessary adaptation work is underway and is scheduled to begin in the early months of the next year. The statement reflected a strategic pause rather than an outright cessation, underscoring the company’s commitment to restoring automatic transmission options once the adaptation process is completed.
The producer indicated that the initial focus will be on equipping the popular Lada Granta, Lada Vesta, and Lada Lagus models with a factory-installed automatic transmission. In addition, he clarified that there are no plans to resume production of the Niva Legend with an automatic gearbox at this time. This clarification helps delineate the model-specific priorities and aligns with the broader objective of restoring automation across the most widely sold models first, ensuring that customer demand is met where it matters most.
On the matter of plant operations, Sokolov noted that a relaunch was pursued the previous year, highlighting the efforts to reactivate a former Nissan manufacturing facility in Saint Petersburg under the Lada brand. This strategic move is part of a broader restructuring that seeks to stabilize supply chains, modernize production capabilities, and expand the company’s ability to offer vehicles with automatic transmissions as market conditions permit. The overall trajectory points to a deliberate, phased approach that balances technical readiness with consumer expectations and regional demand, while maintaining clear communication about timelines and capabilities.