Kaluga Plant Restarting Production on August 1, 2024, with Plans for Growth
The Kaluga region’s former Volkswagen facility is slated to resume operations on August 1, 2024, according to the primary trade union at the plant. The announcement arrives amid renewed activity and a push to bring back manufacturing jobs in the once-busy automotive hub.
During a plant-wide meeting, management confirmed that production would restart on August 1, 2024. In the initial phase, more than 500 workers are expected to be employed, with the operation running three shifts to ramp up output. The company signaling this restart stressed the urgency of reestablishing full-scale manufacturing and maintaining steady staffing as part of a broader recovery plan.
Executives indicated that a successful restart could lead to expanded facilities before November, signaling expectations of sustained production and capacity growth. The organization also noted a preference for rehiring former employees who were laid off earlier, integrating them as the first wave of new hires to preserve expertise and continuity.
According to industry coverage, the plant will assemble models from GAC and Chery, underscoring a shift in the assembly lineup as part of a broader realignment in the regional auto sector. This pivot aligns with the plant’s long-term strategy to restart operations while pursuing diversification in its manufacturing partners.
Historically, Volkswagen suspended car production in Kaluga and contract assembly in Nizhny Novgorod on March 3, 2022, a move attributed to disrupted supply chains linked to sanctions surrounding the Ukraine conflict. At the GAZ plant in Nizhny Novgorod, production included models such as the Volkswagen Taos, Skoda Kodiaq, Skoda Karoq, and Skoda Octavia, while the Kaluga site hosted assembly of the Volkswagen Tiguan, Volkswagen Polo, and Skoda Rapid. The broader market context and sanction environment have shaped how these facilities operate and plan for future output. (Source: Volkswagen Group communications)
Additionally, the discussion around past brand introductions notes that the Hongqi line previously entered the Russian market with a new crossover. This illustrates how the regional automotive landscape continues evolving, with brands exploring local manufacturing options and partnerships to align with shifting demand and regulatory conditions. (Source: industry reports)