At the start of spring the plant in Togliatti is set to assemble a redesigned version of the Lada Vesta, with a planned launch toward the end of February 2022, according to AvtoVAZ’s press service as reported by Socialbites. Last winter the Izhevsk plant managed only about 800 vehicles before production halted, after which the site itself stopped operating and Vesta production was affected in Togliatti.
In the near future AvtoVAZ intends to resume production of the Largus station wagon, which paused due to component shortages. The company has pledged to roll out an experimental run of electric variants based on this model in Izhevsk by year’s end. A modified Lada Niva Sport is also under development by the VAZ team, and at the Nissan plant in St. Petersburg, after the decision to shift production to the Russian auto giant, the plan is to begin manufacturing cars under contract for AvtoVAZ.
St. Petersburg production is expected to begin in the second half of the year, with plans to release several vehicles from the C and D segments, including SUVs and sedans, determined by market demand. AvtoVAZ spokesperson Sergey Ilyinsky noted that production could reach up to 10,000 cars in 2023, contingent on demand in the market. The same source indicated ongoing challenges with component supply, but that the situation remains under control.
In an interview, the official emphasized that supply chain difficulties persisted but were being managed, illustrating cautious optimism about the year ahead.
“Chinese” at Nissan
The St. Petersburg Nissan facility is expected to restart using a model similar to the Renault plant model, now MAZ Moskvich, with Chinese partners involved and emblems swapped on the cars. This information came from the founder of the Russian Automobile, as relayed to the Telegram channel Gazeta.ru by Sergei Tsyganov.
Tsyganov describes it as a pure Chinese approach bearing Lada badges and notes the project is the simplest for AvtoVAZ this year. The plant is anticipated to assemble new models from a well-known Chinese brand, with two specific models identified. These cars were not previously sold in Russia, and their release would amount to a near world premiere according to Tsyganov, who cites sources close to AvtoVAZ.
Maxim Kadakov, editor-in-chief of Za Rulem, is confident the Nissan facility will produce Chinese cars not yet offered on the Russian market, presenting a fresh option for domestic buyers. He suggests the venture will begin with SKD assembly and then move toward full localization as needed. Kadakov also predicts that the vehicles will carry AvtoVAZ emblems and be positioned at a higher size and price tier than the current Lada lineup, aimed at a different customer segment. Estimated costs for such cars are expected to start around 2 million rubles, Kadakov forecasts.
without brake
Spring plans indicate continued challenges with component imports from China. Tsyganov notes that the first batch of Vestas may launch in basic configurations without an anti-lock braking system ABS. Initial Vesta models are expected to feature manual transmissions, with work already in progress to adapt an automatic transmission from a recognized Chinese manufacturer to the Vesta platform.
Assembly of the Vesta is forecast to begin in early February, with sales slated to start in March. Kadakov of Za Rulem reinforces that the initial lineup will be manual five speeds, initially powered by eight-valve engines with 90 horsepower. From May, a more powerful 16-valve engine is expected to supplement the range. Kadakov adds that an automatic option could appear in the first half of 2024, based on evolving developments.
Updated Niva
Another notable AvtoVAZ project for 2023 is the Lada Niva Sport SUV. Maxim Sokolov, head of the Volga Automobile Plant, announced last autumn that the vehicle would receive a stronger and higher-torque engine as part of a modernization led by Lada Sport, the company’s performance division. Some of the advances developed for Niva Sport may later be applied to the Niva Legend, with a major modernization planned for late 2023 or early 2024.
Specifically, the plan includes electric headlight correctors, LED daytime running lights and revised taillights, along with improved sound insulation. The debut of the Niva Sport is anticipated in the second half of the year, though production volumes are expected to be modest. The SUV is likely to use a well-known transverse engine and may be mounted longitudinally, potentially around a 1.8 liter displacement. A body kit with fender extensions could give the car a rally-themed appearance, Kadakov notes from Behind the Wheel magazine.
electric caterpillar
Tsyganov argues that an electric car derived from the Largus project will not be profitable given the expected volumes of tens of thousands per year. He points out that AvtoVAZ previously took 1.5 to 2 years to repay the Lada Vesta investment due to logistics, with body panels and components moving between Togliatti, Dimitrovgrad, and Izhevsk. With the electric Largus, similar logistics would repeat the pattern, as the entire assembly line is centralized in Togliatti while production in Izhevsk is planned, according to Tsyganov.
For the traditional gasoline Largus, Tsyganov believes there should be no production problems in resuming this variant. Some foreign suppliers collaborating with Renault-Nissan reportedly continue to work with the Russian plant. The founder of Russian Car remains optimistic that design localization will not be required for the Largus and that sourcing from abroad may still be cheaper in the face of ongoing challenges.
instead of Granta
In February 2022 AvtoVAZ announced work on a new family of B-class vehicles under the Lada umbrella to replace the Granta family. The new model is reportedly ready for production, but component supply issues continue to impede progress. The story from an industry insider notes that signing and initiating production remains the main hurdle, with the deliveries largely dependent on partners in Romania, Turkey, and China. If the Largus supply issues are resolved, the path forward for the Granta successor could unfold more smoothly, according to the same source.