AvtoVAZ has announced plans to introduce three new Lada models by 2026, signaling a bold push to refresh its European market lineup. The information was confirmed by Denis Manturov, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, who also serves as chairman of AvtoVAZ’s board. The plan underscores the company’s strategy to expand production and strengthen its domestic auto industry footprint within the coming years, a move that could ripple through global supply chains and trade discussions in North America as well.
Manturov disclosed that the company is slated to roll out three distinct models over the next three years: the Aura in 2024, the Iskra in 2025, and a new crossover built on the Vesta platform in 2026. This sequence aligns with AvtoVAZ’s ambition to diversify its product range while leveraging updated platforms to maximize efficiency and passenger appeal. The announcements suggest a staged approach to model introduction, allowing the automaker to gauge market reception and refine manufacturing processes as each vehicle enters production.
According to the minister, AvtoVAZ’s 2024 production plan will rise by nearly a quarter, with a target to manufacture at least 500 thousand Lada vehicles next year. He emphasized that the scale of the investment program would remain on par with the current year, pegged at roughly 40 billion rubles, underscoring a sustained commitment to modernization, local supplier development, and capacity expansion. The figure reflects a broader push by Russia to bolster domestic automotive capabilities and reduce reliance on imports through a combination of incentives and investment in automation, training, and logistics.
In June 2023, the extended Aura sedan, based on the Lada Vesta, was showcased in Sochi. The model features a 1.8-liter engine delivering 122 horsepower and comes with an automatic transmission. The Aura draws on an updated Vesta platform and offers a noticeably larger cabin, including an additional 25 centimeters of rear-row space to enhance comfort on longer journeys. The interior showcases Russian-crafted genuine leather and a high-quality audio system designed to deliver a premium in-car experience. AvtoVAZ leadership has indicated that the new Aura variant is expected to command a price higher than two million rubles, reflecting its upgraded components and enhanced passenger comfort. This positioning aims to attract buyers seeking a more spacious, feature-rich sedan within the Lada family, while maintaining competitive value in the evolving market.
As discussions continue, Manturov has also referenced potential strategic moves regarding collaboration with international partners, including the possibility of acquiring assets such as Nissan facilities to support production scale and technological exchange. This line of inquiry indicates an openness to structural shifts that could influence the regional automotive landscape, including opportunities for cross-border investment, employment, and supplier integration. The evolving roadmap for AvtoVAZ thus presents a multi-year horizon of product, capacity, and partnership developments that industry observers in Canada and the United States will be watching for implications on trade, pricing, and supply chains. Attribution: Official government and corporate announcements cited in North American market analyses.