Kaliningrad Avtotor Begins Jetour Dashing Production and Expands Localized Assembly
Kaliningrad’s Avtotor plant has commenced full-cycle assembly of the Jetour Dashing crossover, sourced from the Middle Kingdom. The news came from the Russian company’s press service, confirming the start of production at the Kaliningrad site as part of a broader collaboration with Jetour.
Under the terms of the Avtotor–Jetour agreement, the plan includes preparing facilities for complete vehicle assembly within Russia and progressively raising localization. Both companies have outlined concrete steps to deepen cooperation by 2028, aiming to boost domestic content and streamline supply chains while expanding market reach.
Valery Gorbunov, chairman of Avtotor Holding, indicated that the company targets the production of roughly 10,000 to 15,000 Jetour vehicles in 2024. He stressed that the ultimate output will respond to market demand and the evolving business environment, highlighting the strategic emphasis on flexibility and demand-driven production planning.
The Jetour Dashing model entered the Russian market in March 2023 and is offered in five trim levels, providing a range of configurations to meet different consumer needs. The brand’s upcoming plans had suggested that Jetour would enter broader distribution by the end of 2024, with the introduction of all-wheel-drive versions for the Dashing and the X90 Plus. The official premiere of these AWD variants was anticipated toward year-end, signaling a push to broaden Jetour’s lineup in Russia.
Currently, the Jetour Dashing in Russia is available with a front-wheel-drive layout and offers two engine choices: a 1.5-liter turbo engine rated at 147 horsepower, paired with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed robotic transmission, and a larger 1.6-liter unit delivering 190 horsepower paired with a 7-speed manual transmission. The price range starts at 2.49 million rubles and climbs toward 3.19 million rubles, reflecting the positioning of the model in the local market.
For the Jetour X90 Plus, the all-wheel-drive version is expected to feature a 2.0-liter engine coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission, aligning with the brand’s strategy to expand powertrain choices. The current Russian offering includes front-wheel-drive variants powered by 1.6-liter (190 horsepower) and 2.0-liter (245 horsepower) engines, providing a clear contrast between base and higher-spec configurations.
Industry observers note that Jetour’s strategy in Russia includes promoting popular Chinese crossovers with front-wheel drive while strategically introducing AWD options to broaden appeal in segments seeking enhanced capability and performance. This approach mirrors broader efforts to diversify the lineup and respond to consumer preferences across the market, including sedan-like practicality and SUV versatility.
Overall, the collaboration between Avtotor and Jetour demonstrates a focused effort to accelerate localization, optimize manufacturing workflows, and strengthen Russia’s domestic automotive ecosystem. By expanding production capacity and aligning with market demand, the two companies aim to deliver more value to Russian buyers while maintaining agility amid global supply dynamics. The future outlook anticipates continued enhancements in both product range and manufacturing efficiency as the partnership progresses, with ongoing evaluation of localization milestones and production targets. (Source: Avtotor press service)