The Kaliningrad Avtotor plant has begun assembling BAIC X35 crossovers and BAIC U5 plus sedans for local distribution. The factory’s communications team confirmed ongoing production and outlined plans to expand the model lineup in Russia later this year.
The BAIC U5 plus sedan will slot in with a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter engine, according to reports in major business outlets. Automotive components are sourced from BAIC factories in China, and initial production uses bodies that are already welded and painted. Over time, the plan calls for greater localization, with Russian-made batteries, windows, bumpers, tires and wheels, seats, exhaust systems, and washer reservoirs incorporated into the vehicles. Full-scale welding and painting of hulls is slated to begin in 2024, signaling a broader domestic manufacturing footprint.
There have been announcements about the Moskvich 6 project and its production and sales plans, with a target window that included the latter half of this year. As the Russian auto industry evolves, these developments reflect a push toward expanding local assembly capacity and diversifying the vehicle lineup offered in the market.
Industry observers note that initial assembly relies on imported components paired with already prepared bodies, a common approach for accelerating initial rollout. The longer-term goal centers on increasing localization to reduce reliance on foreign parts, improve supply chain resilience, and align with regional demand for mid-sized crossovers and sedans. The effort also underscores a broader trend toward domestic battery and component sourcing, which could influence pricing, service networks, and warranty support for customers in Russia and neighboring markets. The evolution of these programs will hinge on regulatory support, supplier collaboration, and the pace of localization investments, all of which shape the competitive landscape for BAIC models in the region.