AvtoVAZ chief Maxim Sokolov has begun using the Lada X-Cross 5 crossover as part of the company’s official vehicle fleet, a move reported by Samara’s Autobroker Club. This choice signals a broader shift within AvtoVAZ toward keeping the executive fleet closely aligned with the Lada family, reinforcing a strategic push to anchor leadership transportation to the consolidated domestic brand lineup rather than rotating through multiple marques.
AvtoVAZ confirms that the X-Cross 5 is not the only model in frequent official use. The company has systematically prioritized Lada models for top executives, marking a clear departure from earlier rosters that included Renault, Nissan, and Infiniti vehicles. This approach reinforces a cohesive corporate image built around domestically manufactured vehicles and aligns with a broader strategy to elevate the Lada brand across leadership circles, both for internal morale and external market perception.
On occasion, AvtoVAZ executives travel in the long-wheelbase Lada Vesta Signature. The Vesta Signature is noted for its refined design and performance, maintaining its role as a core component of the executive fleet while the company assesses potential additions. The recent arrival of the Lada Aura into the service lineup has not yet been finalized, reflecting ongoing product development decisions and fleet-planning considerations that influence a measured rollout of new models.
Production arrangements for the Lada X-Cross 5 took shape at the former Nissan plant in St. Petersburg, with manufacturing underway as the model was announced. Sales were not immediately launched at that stage. Early reports described the crossovers as FAW Bestune T77s bearing Lada nameplates, powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine delivering around 160 horsepower and paired with a seven-speed automated transmission, with front-wheel drive as the standard configuration. This setup highlighted a transitional phase as AvtoVAZ explored brand integration, localization, and potential market reception for the updated lineup, while monitoring regulatory and competitive dynamics in the region.
According to Sokolov, the commercial rollout for the Lada X-Cross 5 was anticipated to begin before the end of 2023, signaling a concerted effort to capitalize on rebranded models and the evolving competitive landscape in Russia and nearby markets. The plan reflected AvtoVAZ’s aim to leverage its domestic production base while expanding the practical footprint of the Lada brand in a changing automotive environment, an objective that resonates with regional demand shifts and policy incentives supporting local manufacturing and export opportunities.
Earlier industry discussions noted that Geely and Volvo models had entered the Russian market, illustrating a broader trend of varied brands sharing shelf space in the region and shaping consumer expectations. This context helped frame AvtoVAZ’s strategic considerations around product placement, brand perception, and the timing of new releases in 2023 and beyond, with implications for supplier networks, localization strategies, and long-term competitiveness in both the domestic and neighboring markets .