The AVTOVAZ chief spoke here about the situation with Vesta NG and the roadmap ahead.
What is next for Largus? Will it persevere like Ixray did not?
We aim to resolve all component issues and place Largus on the assembly line before year end. Every Largus will include at least one airbag and ABS. The challenge with Largus lies in localization, which is noticeably lower than Vesta at about 65 percent on the first level, but progress is being made. The final price for Largus has not been announced, yet it will be market-driven.
Production of Largus in Togliatti is planned to resume before year end, with ABS fitted on all units.
Many wonder if a Duster badge could appear under the Lada logo. And why not imitate a car like Volkswagen in principle?
You could copy every detail in a single instance. On a true industrial scale, however, rebuilding logistics for auto parts production quickly is not feasible. It is a solvable task, but it would take three to four years, which is too long for the current schedule.
The same applies to Duster. An individual solution is sought for each part, with replacements and localization where needed. The company operates within the legal framework and maintains partnerships with Renault, which supplies parts for the Largus project. Agreements require royalties to Renault, with license payments calculated as a percentage of the car’s resale value. If a car sells for one million rubles, the royalty is around four percent, about 40 thousand rubles. A two-million ruble sale would entail about 80 thousand rubles. In total, the scale of production translates into significant costs.
For the moment, the Duster project has been set aside.
And what about the electric Largus?
The electric Largus is moving forward. The head of AVTOVAZ expressed gratitude to the head of the Republic of Udmurtia for belief in the project. Among all announced initiatives, the e Largus stands out as the only truly Russian electric vehicle with a high degree of localization. The team is confident this car will be successful in delivery services, taxis, and car sharing.
The platform for the electric vehicle will be produced in Izhevsk. One of the main bottlenecks for any electric vehicle remains the traction battery. In Tolyatti, the team is selecting the best option for the e Largus in terms of energy density, performance, and cost.
The first prototype is expected to be ready before year end. A pilot batch is planned for 2023, and the next steps will depend on market demand and state support for such projects. When the market is ready, small scale production will begin, followed by broader mass production of the e Largus.
Plans indicate e Largus manufacturing will take place in Izhevsk, with body panels for Vesta and plastic parts for the conveyor belt and spare components also being produced there.
- Find out here which new AVTOVAZ products are in development.
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