At the Moskvich plant site, the area that formerly belonged to Renault Russia, a cache of prototypes from the upcoming third generation Renault Logan and Sandero has been uncovered. Autonews has reported on these findings, and the situation is drawing renewed attention to the fate of the brand’s activities in Russia. The discovery confirms that development work on a new generation of these compact models continued despite the restructuring of the local automotive landscape. What is visible in the photos is not just a handful of test cars but a small fleet that hints at an ambitious timeline and multiple design directions being explored by engineers on site.
A magazine photographer captured images of camouflaged versions of the Logan and Sandero that were clearly intended for production in Russia. The photographs reveal features that diverge from the versions currently offered in Europe under the Dacia brand. Notably, the test mules sport distinctive double-deck headlight assemblies, unusual radiator grilles, and reworked bumpers that give these prototypes a unique visual identity. The presence of at least ten such Logan and Sandero test vehicles on the factory grounds, plus the observation that one hatchback carries plastic wheel arches, strongly suggests that a Stepway-inspired variant is also under consideration for local manufacture. These details point to a broader strategy that may include terrain-oriented variants designed to appeal to Russian consumers and to role out alongside existing models in the market. Autonews sources emphasize that the camouflage and specialized trim cues are typical of late-stage preproduction work, aimed at validating design choices and evaluating assembly processes before any formal launch plans are announced, which could occur only after broader market and regulatory clearances are secured.
Before Renault exited the Russian market, plans reportedly called for the next-generation Logan and Sandero to reach customers in the spring or early summer of 2022, with production slated to occur at AvtoVAZ facilities in Togliatti. The shift in supply chains and manufacturing sites since then has added layers of complexity to these plans, as automakers reassess localization, supplier networks, and plant utilization. The current sightings, therefore, serve as a concrete reminder that the evolution of these two compact models remains a live topic in the Russian automotive scene, even as corporate ownership and strategic priorities undergo ongoing changes. Industry observers note that any decision to proceed with local production would hinge on a range of factors, from local demand and investment incentives to compatibility with regional emission standards and regulatory approvals. Autonews highlights that these prototype reveals could reflect a longer-term intent to align with the country’s evolving mobility needs and to maintain a presence in the compact segment as regional competition continues to shape the market landscape.
Earlier reports indicated that the Chinese automaker Chery was in negotiations with Russian manufacturers to localize production, a development that would add another layer to the ongoing localization discourse. This context underscores a broader pattern in which foreign brands explore joint ventures or production-linked arrangements with established Russian plants to mitigate logistics costs and reduce exposure to sanctions and currency fluctuations. Analysts suggest that even with shifts in corporate strategy, the readiness demonstrated by the Moskvich site in hosting and evaluating test prototypes signals a willingness among partners to explore incremental localization, shared supplier ecosystems, and potential platform sharing to accelerate time-to-market for new compact vehicles in Russia. The emergence of such discussions aligns with industry trends seen in other regions where manufacturers pursue regionalized production to balance cost control with market responsiveness, while remaining attentive to the regulatory environment and consumer preferences in the Russian market.