The Kremlin press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, spoke about a hypothetical scenario in which a high quality Moskvich car would attract attention not only from ordinary Russians but also from the country’s president. In this account, Peskov suggested that if the vehicle met strong standards of reliability and design, Vladimir Putin would likely show interest in acquiring a new Moskvich. The remarks were attributed to Peskov and cited by TASS, the Russian news agency. He indicated that public sentiment would align with this possibility if the car proved to be truly competitive in today’s automotive market.
Peskov emphasized that the appeal of a modern Moskvich would depend on the product meeting high expectations. He noted that many Russians would consider purchasing such a car if the quality, performance, and value proposition stood up to scrutiny. The press secretary added that under those conditions, he himself would seek to obtain a new Moskvich for personal use, underscoring the national significance of a homegrown automotive brand translating into tangible consumer appeal.
Meanwhile, a development of strategic importance for Russia’s auto sector unfolded at the corporate and state level. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, assets of the Renault group are being transferred into state ownership. The arrangement foresees Moscow taking full ownership of CJSC Renault Russia, while a controlling stake in AvtoVAZ would be held by FSUE NAMI, with the remainder distributed among Rostec and other state-linked entities. This shift marks a decisive step in reconfiguring the national automotive landscape and underscores the government’s intent to preserve automotive manufacturing capacity within Russia’s borders.
In another public statement, Moscow’s leadership signaled a clear plan for the historical Moskvich marque. At the former Renault plant, city officials outlined intentions to restart passenger car production under the Moskvich banner. City mayor Sergey Sobyanin expressed optimism that reviving the emblematic brand would help preserve skilled workers and maintain continuity for teams that have long contributed to Russia’s automotive history. Sobyanin pointed to a substantial chance that many members of the factory’s workforce would remain with the operation as it transitions to state-backed ownership and a renewed production program.
These developments reflect a coordinated approach to revitalize a storied automotive heritage while aligning production capabilities with national strategic interests. The notion of a modern Moskvich returning to the roads resonates beyond branding. It embodies a broader policy objective: to sustain manufacturing jobs, nurture domestic engineering talent, and reinforce Russia’s ability to produce vehicles that meet contemporary safety, efficiency, and environmental standards. Observers note that the transition of Renault assets into state stewardship is designed to safeguard critical production lines, components supply, and research initiatives that have historically underpinned Moscow’s automotive ecosystem. The anticipated restarts at the Moskvich site are framed as a test of the sector’s resilience and its capacity to adapt to evolving market demands without depending on external ownership structures. The overarching narrative connects political resolve with industrial continuity, promoting confidence among workers, suppliers, and potential investors who view the Moskvich revival as a tangible signal of Russia’s commitment to its manufacturing base.