A note circulated among executive authorities in several Russian regions, citing a decision attributed to the chairman of the State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, which proposes a shift for deputies toward exclusively domestic vehicles for official use, effective from the start of 2024. The document, cited by a major business daily, outlines a policy shift that would see lawmakers transition away from imported models in favor of Russia’s own automotive offerings when serving in an official capacity, reinforcing a broader push toward self-reliance in the sector and aligning with a national emphasis on promoting domestic manufacturing within state operations.
Volodin has publicly argued that lawmakers should adopt only homegrown automobiles—such as those produced by Moskvich, Lada, and Aurus—for their official duties. He has maintained that the absence of a robust, competitive domestic car industry would hinder Russia’s strategic autonomy, suggesting that continued reliance on vehicles sourced from unfriendly nations could undermine national economic and industrial objectives. The emphasis is on choosing vehicles that reflect national manufacturing capabilities, support local jobs, and reduce exposure to external market fluctuations that may affect procurement decisions for state institutions and public servants. The notion expressed is that a strong, domestically-based auto ecosystem is integral to sustaining Russia’s industrial sovereignty and ensuring that government fleets serve as a visible demonstration of national manufacturing capacity and reliability.
Within the Ministry of Industry and Trade, a list of vehicles recommended for primary use by civil servants for official purposes was issued. The compilation highlights a spectrum of domestic and allied brands, including the Lada lineup—Vesta, Vesta SW Cross, Granta, Niva Travel, Niva Legend—alongside UAZ models such as Patriot, Pickup, Profi, Hunter, and SGR, and Aurus’s Senat and Komendant, complemented by Moskvich vehicles such as the 3, 3e, and 6. The Evolute brand contributes I-Pro, I-Joy, and I-Sky, while Haval is represented by Jolion, Dargo, F7/F7x, and H9. This approach signals a broad strategy to phase in sanctioned models that meet performance, cost, and supply criteria suitable for government procurement, aiming to ensure long-term reliability and local compatibility across ministries and agencies while reducing dependence on foreign supply chains.