In a conversation with Dmitry Pronin, the General Director of the Moskvich Automobile Plant, DEA News notes that the Moskvich-3 city taxi variant has already begun appearing in urban fleets. Pronin emphasized that the company has distributed a total of 150 Moskvich-3 cars to taxi firms, and one of the largest collectors has already integrated these vehicles into its taxi services. He also noted ongoing negotiations with leading taxi and ridesharing platforms to expand the supply of Moskvich vehicles to their fleets.
Additionally, in January of the current year, the Moskvich group delivered five electric vehicles to the Moscow Department of Health and several more to Mosgorstroynadzor, illustrating the companys push toward electrification and public sector collaborations. These moves align with a broader strategy to increase the presence of Moskvich in both commercial and municipal markets, supporting urban transportation goals and clean-energy initiatives.
Earlier reports indicated that Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin publicly acknowledged the Moskvich plant during a recent event, underscoring the importance of domestic manufacturing in the citys transportation ecosystem. The report also highlighted the signing of a major contract in 2023 for the supply of 2,000 Moskvich-3 electric vehicles to Yandex taxi and ridesharing services, marking a significant milestone in the collaboration between a domestic automaker and one of the countrys largest urban mobility platforms.
Prior to that, announcements from Moscow and a St. Petersburg car dealership indicated a shift among consumers toward choosing Moskvich models over Renault and Lada options. This shift suggests a renewed interest in homegrown brands that offer competitive pricing, robust reliability, and growing availability of electric variants for city driving. Market observers note that the Moskvich strategy emphasizes building a nationwide footprint through partnerships with both public agencies and private fleets, aiming to position the brand as a practical, energy-efficient choice for daily urban commuting.