The Kaliningrad Avtotor plant bets on BAIC electric cars and new brand expansions
The Kaliningrad Avtotor plant is moving toward producing electric vehicles from the Chinese brand BAIC, with plans set for the fourth quarter of 2023. This update comes from the plant’s leadership through a report by a major Russian news agency, citing Valery Gorbunov, the chairman of the board. The project marks a step in Avtotor’s strategy to diversify its lineup and bring new mobility options to the market.
Gorbunov emphasized the importance of intellectual property in the venture, noting that the company would showcase the initiative by year end. He stressed that the design work was conducted in-house by a team of experienced designers hired specifically for this purpose, reinforcing Avtotor’s role as a developer of its own EV concepts.
Looking ahead to 2024, Avtotor plans to erect a dedicated factory for compact electric cars. The project carries an investment of 3.97 billion rubles and aims to reach a production capacity of up to 50,000 vehicles annually. The new facility is intended to streamline production and respond to growing demand for accessible electric cars in the region.
In addition to the new EV factory, Avtotor intends to broaden its portfolio by bringing additional Chinese brands into its assembly lines. Two more brands are slated to begin their assembly operations in 2023, expanding the variety of models produced at the plant. The goal is to raise the annual output of different models from the current nine to a range of 20 to 22. This expansion signals a strategic push to offer a broader, more competitive choice for customers in Russia and neighboring markets.
Historically, Avtotor has attracted attention for its partnerships with multiple Chinese automakers and for its role in manufacturing complex vehicle lines. The company’s ongoing expansion projects are viewed as a response to shifting demand patterns, regulatory changes, and the pursuit of greater local production capabilities. The broader implications include potential effects on regional job creation, supplier networks, and technology transfer within the automotive sector.
Recent industry coverage has also highlighted related topics in the Russian market, including the emergence of high-capacity pickups and the evolving competitive landscape for large trucks. While these reports are separate from Avtotor’s EV initiatives, they illustrate the broader momentum around Chinese brands entering local assembly operations and the ongoing modernization of manufacturing facilities in the region.