The Kaluga automotive plant, once associated with Volkswagen, is set to resume car manufacturing in the first half of this year. This update came from Denis Manturov, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade, during remarks at a Russian exhibition and forum hosted at the Government Coordination Center. Manturov indicated that the initial production run of vehicles should begin in the first six months of 2024, signaling a cautious restart of operations after a pause in activity.
The minister also clarified that a domestic firm, Art-Finance, which has ties to the Avilon dealer group, has become the new owner of the Kaluga site. He noted that Art-Finance has already engaged an international technology partner to support the plant’s relaunch, aligning with Russia’s broader strategy to strengthen local production capabilities while integrating external expertise where needed. These developments point to a transitional phase in which ownership changes and technology collaboration are aimed at restoring output while ensuring compliance with national industrial goals.
Earlier statements from regional authorities indicated a shift in timelines for resuming vehicle production at the plant, with Kaluga governor Vladislav Shapsha reporting that the restart would move from late 2023 to the beginning of 2024. The revised schedule reflects adjustments in planning and execution as the new ownership structure and technical partnerships take shape. Industry observers are watching closely to see how the plant will fit into the evolving automotive landscape in Russia and how its output could influence regional economic activity.
As the Kaluga plant charts its path forward, questions about the model lineup and design updates persist. In related industry chatter, attention has also turned to what upgrades might appear in the next generation of compact vehicles produced at the site. Officials emphasize careful coordination between corporate leadership, technology partners, and regional authorities to ensure a smooth restart and alignment with safety, quality, and production targets. The objective remains clear: reestablish the plant as a competitive contributor to the domestic automotive sector while maintaining high standards of manufacturing excellence, supply chain resilience, and local employment prospects. The broader implications for regional economics and national industrial policy continue to unfold as the restart progresses, with stakeholders monitoring milestones and potential market responses. (Source: TASS)