According to Denis Manturov, head of Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Moscow plant that recently came under city government control will shift away from producing the cars that used to roll off its assembly line. The plan is clear: the old model lineup will not be continued, and a fresh strategy will be conceived in collaboration with KAMAZ. This move signals a substantial pivot in the plant’s mission, aligning with broader national objectives to modernize the vehicle sector while preserving local manufacturing capabilities. In practical terms, the focus will be on a new model range and, notably, on electric vehicle outcomes as part of this broader plan, with the possibility of producing cars in partnership with foreign manufacturers and also developing domestically engineered models. The exchange underscores a dual track approach: maintain production capacity at the Moscow site while reshaping product lines to accommodate electric propulsion and new strategic partnerships, including potential foreign collaboration and the deployment of KAMAZ’s electrical vehicle innovations. It is a move that aims to leverage existing industrial infrastructure and skilled labor to accelerate Russia’s EV ambitions, all while ensuring alignment with the government’s industrial policy and KAMAZ’s ongoing development programs. The minister’s comments, as cited by TASS, stressed that the Moscow plant will continue to operate, yet the previous product lineup will be replaced by a new era of products, built around a collaborative growth model that blends external brand cooperation with independent, locally designed electric vehicles. This strategy appears designed to maximize technical capabilities, diversify the portfolio, and capitalize on the momentum of electric mobility within the region, including opportunities to integrate KAMAZ’s publicly announced developments into a cohesive national program. In short, the plant is being repositioned to serve as a hub for innovative vehicle manufacturing, where traditional production gives way to an ecosystem that supports electric propulsion and cross-border collaboration, while preserving the essential manufacturing footprint in Moscow. The question now becomes which directions stakeholders want to prioritize as the new lineup takes shape, and a poll is proposed to gauge public and industry sentiment on the future configuration of the plant’s offerings.
The focus is not merely on guns for the future but on practical steps: sustaining car production at the Moscow site while reconfiguring the product suite, harnessing KAMAZ’s engineering strengths, and exploring foreign partnerships that could bring cutting-edge technologies to the domestic market. The initiative envisions a diversified development path that covers both imported brand collaboration and the creation of homegrown electric models. It also recognizes the potential for expanded collaboration with international automakers, which could accelerate technology transfer, standards alignment, and supply chain resilience. As officials describe it, this approach aims to combine proven manufacturing capabilities with fresh design and engineering efforts, ensuring that the Moscow facility remains a relevant focal point in Russia’s automotive landscape. It is a strategic pivot designed to keep production local, promote innovation, and respond to evolving consumer demand for electric vehicles, while utilizing the expertise and assets already present at the facility and within the KAMAZ ecosystem. In this context, the industry and trade ministry’s communications point to a thoughtful, multi-faceted plan that balances continuity with renewal, and that invites both domestic and international partners to participate in a reimagined lineup for the Moscow plant, including the next generation of electric vehicles. A public poll is presented to gather opinions on which lineup would be most appealing to see come to life in the near term.