The Rostec chairman, Sergei Chemezov, took a new Moskvich for a test drive in Naberezhnye Chelny during a working visit that included a briefing at the KamAZ board meeting. The report comes from Chelninsky News.
Chemezov sat behind the wheel at a test site adjacent to STC KamAZ, and afterward spoke with reporters, sharing his first impressions of the revived brand’s vehicle lineup.
He noted that the car has an automatic parking feature. The doors open and the handbrake engages automatically, a sign of thoughtful modernizing touches in the cabin. He described the vehicle as being in good condition on the move, with front-wheel drive and a compact, urban-friendly design. It struck him as a smart city car with a practical footprint for daily use, especially in crowded urban settings.
The news also confirmed the start of SKD assembly for the Moskvich 3 in Moscow, announced on November 23. Sales of the revived Moskvich brand are planned to begin in Moscow in December 2022, followed by deliveries to other regions as production stabilizes and distribution networks expand.
Moskvich 3 is positioned as a compact crossover, offering a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine producing about 150 horsepower and 210 Nm of torque. The option list includes a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT for smoother urban driving. An electric version, the Moskvich 3e, is also slated to join the lineup, expanding the brand’s electrified options. Earlier reporting indicated that the new Moskvich vehicles are based on updated versions of Chinese JAC crossovers, adapted for the Russian market with local tuning and assembly processes.
In a broader context, the Moskvich revival marks a notable moment for Russia’s automotive sector, signaling an effort to blend nostalgic appeal with modern technology. The vehicles aim to balance affordability, efficiency, and practicality for everyday commuters, while the SKD approach helps accelerate local production and supply chain resilience. Observers note that the Moskvich 3’s urban-centric design aligns with growing demand for compact crossovers that can handle both city driving and regional roads. This strategic move fits into Russia’s broader automotive strategy, which emphasizes domestic assembly, access to global parts networks, and the development of a domestic EV ecosystem. Reporters covering the event observed Chemezov’s attention to the car’s urban usability, noting features such as easy ingress and egress, straightforward instrumentation, and a comfortable driving position that suits extended city commutes. The test drive underscored the vehicle’s practicality for government and corporate fleets, as well as everyday consumers seeking a reliable, cost-conscious crossover. Source: Chelninsky News and official Rostec communications.