In 2023 AvtoVAZ aims for production growth, targeting roughly 500 thousand vehicles across its two main sites in Tolyatti and Izhevsk. This figure, reported by Samara Review citing a company source, suggests a steady increase is possible under favorable conditions. The company’s plan envisions a path to higher output if market demand, supply chain conditions, and operating efficiency align, reflecting a strategic push to expand manufacturing capacity after a period of constraints and recovery efforts in the industry.
Significantly, about a quarter of the anticipated volume is expected to come from the Lada Vesta family. The strategy calls for moving the Vesta line from Izhevsk to the Tolyatti plant, with first-year production set to reach around 120 thousand units at the new location. Multiple subcontractors connected with the company reportedly corroborate this planned shift, underscoring the emphasis on consolidating Vesta production at a single, upgraded site to optimize workflow and logistics.
It is noted that the Izhevsk assembly line operates with a lower productivity rate compared to the Togliatti facility, where Vesta production is being centralized. Before the disruptions of the COVID-19 era, Vesta sales from Lada dealerships approached 114 thousand units in 2021, illustrating relative demand strength for this model family. Overall output across the Tolyatti and Izhevsk plants tallied just under 433 thousand Lada vehicles in the previous year, with a peak near 451 thousand in 2020 during the height of the pandemic disruptions. These figures provide context for the envisioned 2023 production scale and the expected contribution from each plant and model line.
Beyond Vesta, the target 2023 output for AvtoVAZ is planned to include the revived Granta, Niva Legend and Niva Travel lines, as well as the Largus model, which is slated to rejoin the assembly stream in early 2023. Interestingly, the physical return of Largus to the line is anticipated to occur on the same production line used for Vesta, albeit a bit later in March, highlighting the factory’s flexibility to manage multiple model families on shared equipment and production paths.
Clarifications about the official figures note that AVTOVAZ has not publicly confirmed these numbers. A company representative stated that the 2023 production plan is not formally drafted for the year until closer to the period and that the exact breakdown by model will be determined later. This cautious stance reflects the broader industry environment, where targets are often adjusted in response to market conditions, supply chain stability, and regulatory considerations throughout the year.
Historically, AvtoVAZ demonstrated strong production capacity in the 2000s, achieving annual outputs surpassing 700 thousand vehicles. Some industry observers estimate that the company could potentially reach up to 850 thousand cars per year if a full multi-line workload were achieved, with three lines operating in Tolyatti and one in Izhevsk, plus the potential additional capacity tied to the former GM_AVTOVAZ facility near Lada West Togliatti. These scenarios emphasize the potential scale of the operation under favorable circumstances and the importance of maintaining efficient line utilization, supplier readiness, and market demand to sustain higher production levels.
- Earlier reports indicated that AVTOVAZ could restore nearly the entire pre-sanction model lineup by 2023, with the exception of the Lada XRAY, highlighting a broader strategy to bring back familiar products while navigating the constraints currently shaping the market.
- Behind the Wheel can be viewed on RuTube, offering insights and discussion around the company’s products and industry developments.
A photo credit appears: Alena Selezneva/TASS