AVTOVAZ is set to begin production in the second half of 2023 at the former Nissan facility in St. Petersburg, starting with SKD assembly of Chinese cars under its own brand, such as Moskvich. The plan is to progress toward a full manufacturing cycle over time.
According to Maxim Sokolov, the company’s president, the path will involve a steady push toward localization. The company will start with SKD from 2024 and move toward CKD in 2025 and 2026, reflecting a clear strategy to deepen domestic engineering capabilities and assemble more components locally.
CKD refers to a localized, small-scale assembly where the vehicle arrives disassembled and is completed on site, often including welding and painting steps as part of the final build. This approach allows for gradual capacity growth and closer alignment with local supply chains.
Earlier announcements indicated that the former Nissan plant in St. Petersburg would produce a new lineup of Lada models positioned above the current range, signaling a shift toward higher-class vehicles within the brand family.
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Note: This content is intended to inform readers about industry development and consumer interest in new models from AVTOVAZ and the Lada lineup.