AvtoVAZ may recalibrate its production plan downward this year, a possibility raised in reports from RIA Novosti that quote the company’s president, Maxim Sokolov. The manufacturer had initially targeted a total output of around 400 thousand vehicles by year’s end, but the realities of the current environment—shaped by sanctions, disrupted logistics, and tightened financial channels—are prompting a careful reassessment. Sokolov indicated that the plan could be adjusted by as much as 10 percent downward if supply chains remain strained and access to financing stays constrained, underscoring the fragility of production amid macroeconomic pressures. (RIA Novosti)
Looking at the year-to-date figures, AvtoVAZ had produced 293 thousand Lada cars during the January-to-October period, a tally that reflects both robust demand in certain segments and the bottlenecks that limit factory throughput. The company’s leadership appears to be planning ahead, balancing the strong demand signals seen in some months with the ongoing challenges in obtaining essential components and completing international transactions. The possibility of reducing the annual production target is presented as a prudent response to a market that remains volatile and influenced by external sanctions, trade restrictions, and currency fluctuations that can impact procurement costs and delivery timelines. (RIA Novosti)
In parallel, Sokolov discussed anticipated sales dynamics for November, noting that the number of vehicles sold could drop by about 8.3 percent compared with October, which had marked a record-high sales figure for AvtoVAZ in the past decade. The November projection stood at roughly 40.9 thousand units, offering a contrast to October’s peak performance. The company had expected sales to be about 1.7 times higher than in November 2022, a comparison that highlights shifts in consumer appetite and residual demand after the strong October showing. (RIA Novosti)
Evgeny Shmelev, AvtoVAZ’s First Vice President for Strategy and Technical Development, acknowledged that the plant has had to produce large numbers of unfinished cars, a consequence of the supply-side disruptions that have reverberated through the production line. The extended lead times for key components and the need to manage partial builds have created a backlog that the team has been navigating with adaptive production scheduling and workforce planning. This reality underscores how external forces can shape the pace and structure of vehicle output, even as the company maintains overall capacity goals and a strategic focus on product readiness. (RIA Novosti)
Meanwhile, market reports continue to circulate about the pricing framework for the updated top-end variant of the Lada Vesta station wagon. The new version has been indicated to carry a price point around 2 million rubles, signaling a positioning move that aims to balance perceived value with the ongoing cost pressures faced by manufacturers and buyers alike. This pricing reference helps map the potential demand trajectory for higher-spec models amid broader economic conditions and consumer sentiment during the current fiscal period. (RIA Novosti)