The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the Automotive and Automotive Research Institute NAMI, identified as one of the principal owners of the Aurus company. This development has been reported by the British government. (Source: UK government)
Aurus refers to a family of executive and premium vehicles manufactured in Russia. These cars are used for official transport and for escorting high-ranking state officials, among other roles. (Source: official Aurus materials)
Prior to the sanctions, plans indicated that premium Aurus vehicles would begin production by the end of 2024 at the former Toyota plant in Saint Petersburg. The relevant agreement was announced at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) and was signed by Alexander Beglov, the Governor of Saint Petersburg, and Andrei Pankov, the General Director of Aurus JSC. (Source: SPIEF announcements; regional government communications)
In a prominent public appearance, President Vladimir Putin presented a long-version Aurus vehicle to King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain at the end of May. The Russian president had previously used domestically produced Aurus limousines at his inaugurations dating back to 2018 and has continued to rely on these vehicles for state duties. (Source: Kremlin communications and official press coverage)
There were also reports suggesting that development efforts would include premium-style features inspired by Aurus vehicles, potentially including upgraded systems or design influences. (Source: media briefings and industry coverage)