AVTOVAZ Eyes Resuming Dual-Fuel Lada Largus and Vesta Production
AVTOVAZ plans to restart the production of dual-fuel versions of the Lada Largus and Vesta. Dmitry Kostromin, the company’s vice president for sales and marketing, shared this in an interview with the analytical agency Avtostat. He stressed that the gas engine technology project is not halted; rather, it continues to move forward in partnership with Gazprom, aiming to integrate methane fuel into the lineup without pausing development.
Kostromin noted that two gas-powered modifications exist in the Lada range, specifically Vesta and Largus. The project has been pursued in collaboration with Gazprom for a lengthy period and remains active, running in parallel with the ongoing launches of Vesta and Largus. The company is evaluating all options to advance the initiative in cooperation with the ATS Group of Companies. Gazprom has outlined a development strategy through 2026 that envisions a broader network of gas filling stations, which informs AVTOVAZ own plans to broaden its model range accordingly and align with this gas-fuel push.
The concept was first introduced during 2017-2018 when AVTOVAZ began producing Vesta and Largus in dual-fuel versions, capable of running on methane in addition to gasoline. The work was carried out with the ATS firm, which specializes in LPG installations and operates a facility in Togliatti where assembly also took place. Over the years, both models were produced in modest batches, with restart cycles often coinciding with periods of government subsidies designed to promote dual-fuel vehicle purchases. This ongoing collaboration highlights a strategic approach to diversifying fuel options and supporting energy transition goals while maintaining manufacturing continuity.
- In the Largus CNG program, the team examined potential cost savings from methane-powered operation.
- The driving experience can now be watched on RuTube, providing a practical look at how these dual-fuel vehicles perform in real-world conditions.