New photos circulating on social networks show the body of a car believed to be a fresh Lada B-class model from AVTOVAZ. The claim that the brand will add a compact class vehicle had already been mentioned by AVTOVAZ representatives. It was noted that this model would not replace the Grant or serve as a Grant-2, but would instead occupy a slightly higher position in the lineup.
However, the outlook for this project is now clouded with uncertainty. AVTOVAZ watchers at Avtograd News published new chassis images and report that the internal XJO index project has been put on hold indefinitely. The reasoning appears logical: the Lada B-class was to be built on Renault’s CMF-B platform, a move that raises questions about feasibility within Russia given the current circumstances.
On one side, AVTOVAZ leadership has stated that the company retains rights to use Renault’s licensed technology. Yet the scope of these rights is unclear: do they cover the CMF-B platform as a whole, or are they limited to the already mastered B0 platform? More importantly, does AVTOVAZ see any practical benefit in pursuing a platform that is largely unfamiliar to the Russian market and manufacturing base?
Earlier this year, signals suggested AVTOVAZ may have stepped away from Renault-associated models built on the B0 platform. The emphasis is shifting toward developing in-house solutions rather than pursuing externally licensed architectures. The current plan leans toward leveraging existing internal products, with Vesta highlighted as a key example. There have been mentions of moving production from Izhevsk to Tolyatti and reviving manufacturing activities in early 2023, signaling a potential strategic pivot.
Industry observers also noted that a source known as Behind the Wheel has posted updates on social networks, including Odnoklassniki, offering additional context about internal discussions and timelines. This kind of information underscores the fragile and evolving nature of AVTOVAZ’s product strategy under the current market and regulatory conditions.