The Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation is preparing amendments to the regulations governing the localization of industrial products manufactured in Russia. Vedomosti reports that two reliable sources confirm this plan. The proposed changes would shift the emphasis within the localization scoring system, prioritizing automotive components over activities such as welding, painting, and stamping of vehicle bodies.
The current scoring framework was introduced in 2019 and serves multiple purposes. Beyond assessing localization levels, it makes it possible for companies that have signed a private investment contract to participate in public procurement more readily. Through the score a company earns, an automobile concern can also access corresponding industrial subsidies. Industry observers view these subsidies as a form of compensation related to the recycling fee that accompanies manufacturing and procurement activities.
At present, the maximum localization score reaches 7000 points. Most factories in the Russian Federation already operate under such contracts. The existing scale includes points for welding the body, painting, and stamping Russian-made body parts. In this system, a plant could accumulate up to 1500 points for these activities. For instance, the updated Lada Vesta is projected to secure a total of about 4500 points once the changes take effect.
Officials from the Ministry of Industry and Trade have signaled a plan to reduce the points awarded for welding and painting and to increase the points available for localization of components produced from domestic materials. This potential shift is being discussed in close consultation with industry representatives and the broader manufacturing community to align incentives with actual localization progress and long-term industrial goals.
Earlier, reports noted that UAZ is considering assembling Chinese vehicles locally with support from Sollers. Sollers chairman Adil Shirinov indicated that launching Sollers Argo production in Ulyanovsk would create synergies with UAZ, particularly in the localization of key components and assemblies. Such cooperation could streamline supply chains and accelerate the adoption of domestically produced parts across the vehicle sector. The discussions reflect a broader policy aim to strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities while maintaining competitive industrial standards across the auto industry in Russia.