AvtoVAZ is moving ahead with the development of a crossover that rides on a platform originally designed in Russia. This platform already underpins the Lada Vesta family, including the sedan and the station wagon, and now serves as the foundation for a new crossover in a form factor that remains among the most popular globally. This strategic direction was confirmed by Maxim Sokolov, the chairman of AvtoVAZ, in a sit-down with TASS where he outlined the plan and its implications for the company’s product lineup.
Speaking to TASS, Sokolov described the project as a completely new branch built upon AvtoVAZ’s own enhanced Vesta platform. He emphasized that the crossover will be crafted in the most demanded car format seen on today’s market, signaling AvtoVAZ’s intent to align with current consumer preferences while leveraging existing engineering investments. The phrasing pointed to significant internal development work that aims to extend the life cycle of the Vesta architecture by adapting it to a crossover body style that resonates with buyers across key markets.
On timing, the AvtoVAZ chief did not provide a precise release date for the new crossover. He did, however, confirm a broader production schedule for the updated Lada Vesta. The restart of Vesta production at the Togliatti site is planned for the spring season, with a focus on achieving higher conveyor productivity at the plant. The decision to move Vesta assembly from Izhevsk to Togliatti aligns with a strategy to consolidate manufacturing at a facility with greater throughput, ultimately supporting faster output and improved efficiency across the model line.
Earlier communications indicated that the consolidation would involve substantial investment, with a projected cost around 1 billion rubles allocated to the plant upgrade. Meanwhile, the Lada Vesta that began assembly in early 2022 has been routed to dealers to support ongoing sales. Reports from Moscow suggested that a limited batch of new models could be introduced in Izhevsk at a price point around 2.3 million rubles before Renault’s departure from the partnership, signaling a transitional period for the brand and a window of opportunity for changes in supply and pricing strategy. The overall picture points to a broader modernization push that combines platform reuse, production realignment, and selective product introductions to sustain Vesta’s market position and pave the way for a new crossover family that echoes contemporary demand and consumer sentiment (source: TASS).