Kaluga Plant to Resume Production at PSMA Rus LLC
The Kaluga facility operated by PSMA Rus LLC is preparing to restart production in the near term, according to Regional Governor Vladislav Shapsha. He confirmed in a recent meeting with leaders from Automotive Technologies, PSMA’s industrial partner, that the plant will return to operation soon and outlined promising prospects for the site’s development.
PSMA Rus LLC had paused manufacturing since 2022. Historically, the plant produced a range of models and commercial vehicles, including the Peugeot 408 and Citroen C4 passenger cars, as well as light commercial vehicles such as the Peugeot Partner, Citroen Berlingo, and Opel Combo. The factory was also associated with the Mitsubishi lineup during its production horizon. The restart signals a repositioning effort within PSMA Rus’s production ecosystem and reflects broader regional industrial activity in Kaluga.
Prior to the pause in manufacturing, officials from the Ministry of Industry and Trade shared perspectives on the broader Russian automotive market. They projected a gradual recovery, with estimated sales reaching around 1.3 million vehicles in 2024. The ministry noted that the sales volume in 2026 would align with the average level seen from 2015 to 2021, followed by a yearly growth of about 1 percent beginning in 2027. According to these projections, the market could approach 1.8 million cars annually by 2030 and near 1.9 million by 2035, signaling a steady, longer-term rebound in demand for passenger and light commercial vehicles in Russia.
In 2023, data previously reported indicate that imports of passenger cars to Russia totaled approximately 992,200 units in the first eleven months of the year, underscoring the ongoing dynamics between domestic production and import activity during the period.
For audiences in North America, the restart at the Kaluga plant illustrates how global automotive supply chains adapt to changing market conditions, with partnerships between manufacturers and industrial teams becoming a focal point for regional economic resiliency. The move highlights how vehicle production networks respond to shifts in demand, regulatory environments, and the strategic positioning of manufacturers within the broader European and global automotive landscape. Analysts in Canada and the United States may watch closely as PSMA Rus and its partners optimize production capacity, supply chain planning, and product development, seeking to align with evolving consumer preferences and compliance standards across major markets.