Moscow’s Moskvich Sets Sights on New Cars Made from Russian Steel
The Moskvich automobile plant has announced plans to build original vehicles using Russian steel starting in 2026. This update comes from reports at the Moscow International Automotive Forum IMAF, where the company’s commercial director, Maxim Zlatokrylets, spoke about the project for audiences in Russia and beyond.
Initial plans call for a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine. The company intends to localize several critical components by 2025, including telematics systems, seat padding and trim, and fuel tanks. If all goes to plan, a Moskvich-branded car will be unveiled in 2026, marking a significant milestone for the domestic automotive industry and the push toward greater national self-sufficiency in critical auto parts.
Zlatokrylets acknowledged notable hurdles tied to developing the new model, particularly the challenge of stamp production within the enterprise. He explained that nearly all modern stamping equipment globally is manufactured in South Korea, and the smallest high-tonnage press involved in car body work weighs around 200 tons. This creates a real question of where to obtain the necessary stamping capacity and how to deliver it to the plant. Despite these obstacles, he emphasized that building this capability remains a planned priority and is being actively pursued by the Moskvich team.
The development of a Moskvich-branded car began last spring, with early chatter about the project resurfacing in trade discussions. A Telegram channel known as Russian Car carried a claim that the new model would be a crossover. Reported specifications suggested a length of about 4,400 millimeters, a height of 1,660 millimeters, and a width of 1,850 millimeters. The design was described as featuring a sloping roofline, slim L-shaped headlights, recessed door handles, and a two-tier radiator grille. There were also notes that the vehicle would be electric in some versions, reflecting broader industry discussions about electrification alongside traditional engine options.
Earlier, there had been an announcement about a new crossover for Russia under the FAW banner, signaling a broader trend of collaboration and platform sharing within the country’s evolving automotive landscape. The Moskvich project sits within this larger context as Russia seeks to expand its in-country manufacturing capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign-made stamping and assembly equipment. The potential shift toward a domestically produced car aligns with national strategies aimed at boosting local production, creating skilled jobs, and fostering technological development that supports long-term economic resilience.
As Moskvich moves forward, observers will be watching not only the timeline for vehicle unveiling and localization milestones but also how the plant scales up its stamping and assembly operations, secures supply lines for the essential components, and navigates evolving regulatory and market conditions. The outcome will influence both the perception of the Moskvich brand and the broader question of how Russia’s automotive sector can compete in a rapidly changing global market, where demand for reliable, locally produced vehicles remains strong in Canada and the United States. The company’s stated objectives suggest a clear roadmap: build capacity at home, bring a new model to market, and position Moskvich as a modern producer that prioritizes local content and national capability over time (Source: Socialbites.ca).