A number of large manufacturers in the Samara region that previously acted as subcontractors for AVTOVAZ — supplying components to the car maker’s assembly line — have signaled their readiness to resume production and to compensate for shortages by importing compatible parts instead. The focus is first and foremost on getting the anti crisis version of the Lada Granta back on the line, but plans are under consideration for other AVTOVAZ models as well.
Notably, on June 1 the TPV Rus plant in Syzran began producing seat frames for Grants, and according to the Samara Review, complete seat sets should already be delivered to AVTOVAZ. The workers saved by this initiative are also expected to support the assembly of the Niva Legend, with interest expressed in other AVTOVAZ projects as well.
Reports indicate that the pre crisis depth of localization was around 52.5 percent, with projections pointing to a significant rise in the near future as local suppliers scale up.
Meanwhile the SED company, part of the Krista group like TPV Rus, is ready to supply the entire Lada lineup with its plastic components for outdoor and indoor use, as well as galvanized products.
Tarasov Plant, also known as ZiT, has announced readiness to ship starters and alternators for Niva Legend, Niva Travel and Granta, along with 90A alternators for the Largus model, to AvtoVAZ. Earlier in the year, the firm acquired Italian equipment capable of producing generators with outputs up to 150A and up to 200A. Preparations to produce a 110A generator are underway and are expected to take about six months.
ZiT currently produces starters and alternators for the secondary market but can rapidly switch deliveries to align with the conveyor needs at Togliatti. Similar efforts are underway with GAZ and other Kaluga-area companies. It is anticipated that the plant will be able to cover a substantial portion of Russia’s demand for car and tractor generators in the future. In addition, the Samara Electromechanical Plant, which presently manufactures window cleaning tanks, indicators, sensors, and lighting equipment, has agreed to pursue import substitution projects.
- In early May the governor of the Samara region announced that the Government of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Industry and Trade are engaged in developing measures to support AVTOVAZ’s operations.
- News labeled as 9Behind the wheel9 can be read on Odnoklassniki and is being tracked as part of regional industry updates.