AvtoVAZ Announces Lada Production Plans at Former Nissan Plant in St. Petersburg
AvtoVAZ outlined ambitious plans for the second quarter, revealing that the company is preparing to launch vehicle assembly under the Lada brand at the former Nissan production site in St. Petersburg. The announcement was made by the company’s chief executive at a meeting of the governing body of the Union of Machinery Manufacturers of Russia, signaling a strengthened push to expand domestic manufacturing capacity and diversify model offerings for the Lada lineup.
The St. Petersburg facility is slated to roll out several new models in the Lada range, with a focus on the C and D segments. While specifics about the exact models were not disclosed, officials indicated that the production program will be developed in collaboration with partners from allied countries. The plan envisions an annual output exceeding 400,000 vehicles for 2023, underscoring AvtoVAZ’s strategic objective to scale up production and rebuild its footprint in the Russian automotive market.
In addition to the new plant activity, AvtoVAZ confirmed that this year will see the restart of Lada Largus production. The company also announced the pilot manufacture of electric Largus vehicles at Izhevsk, with plans to deliver an experimental batch by year-end. These steps are part of a broader push to modernize the product range, explore electrification, and sustain steady output in challenging market conditions.
A leadership update accompanied the production news, with Ivan Mironov appointed as the General Manager of the Lada production site in St. Petersburg. Mironov previously served as a Senior Advisor to the President of JSC AvtoVAZ, bringing extensive experience in both corporate strategy and industrial operations. According to Maxim Sokolov, the site will be rebranded from its Nissan heritage to Lada Saint Petersburg, reflecting the company-wide transition toward the Lada brand and a unified manufacturing identity.
Analysts note that shifting production to the St. Petersburg facility is a strategic move aimed at leveraging Russia’s growing demand for affordable, domestic vehicles while reducing reliance on imported components. The collaboration with international partners is expected to help secure critical supply chains, accelerate product introductions, and enhance the overall efficiency of the Lada program. As AvtoVAZ advances its roadmap, the company continues to emphasize value, reliability, and the expanding role of Lada within the evolving Russian automotive landscape. Source: AvtoVAZ press materials and industry briefings.