The chairman of AvtoVAZ, Maxim Sokolov, spoke about how the car production situation in Togliatti is unfolding. In an interview with Za Rulem, the oldest automotive publication, he noted that the difficult restart phase for the Niva and Granta families had passed and that about three thousand additional cars were assembled from component stocks for Largus and Vesta. This update comes from the company’s leadership through AVTOVAZ communications and reflects the factory’s current trajectory amid ongoing supply challenges.
In August the plant produced 18,800 vehicles, a figure very close to the previous year’s output when 19,000 units were completed. After seven months, this level contributed to moving the company back into profitability territory and opened the possibility of achieving a positive operating result by year end, subject to market conditions and the broader macro environment. The strategic goal remains a full-year target of roughly 220,000 cars for 2022, explicitly conditioned on the absence of a dramatic deterioration in the overall situation, according to AVTOVAZ leadership. The executive described the company’s operational reality as if living on a volcano, a vivid reference to the impact of sanctions on production and planning.
Production of the Niva Legend resumed in July, though persistent component shortages continue to affect the model. AVTOVAZ notes that its engineering and procurement teams operate around the clock to address issues as they arise. To keep the assembly line moving without delays, certain components have even been transported by air in hand luggage. When necessary, incomplete cars are produced, then finished and released for sale in accordance with stringent quality standards established during collaboration with Renault, according to company statements.
Unofficial sources have circulated information about incomplete vehicles accumulating within the factory premises, particularly Nivas lacking seat belts. Recent reports allege that the Niva Legend is missing rear straps, and both the Niva Travel and Niva Legend variants are affected by missing fuel rails. The company’s press communications have previously indicated that the production process is proceeding in line with plans, even as some sites formerly associated with the Lada West Togliatti plant were reportedly repurposed to accommodate incomplete Niva units. The message from AVTOVAZ remains that operations are continuing as scheduled, with the line functioning and quality controls intact. A broader media segment called Behind the Wheel has additional coverage available through RuTube as part of ongoing industry reporting.
- Earlier coverage suggested that the disused Lada West Togliatti facility could be used to house incomplete Niva assemblies, but AVTOVAZ clarified that the process followed an orderly plan and that manufacturing milestones were being met.
- Further context and updates from AVTOVAZ can be found in industry programming such as Behind the Wheel available on RuTube.