Russian automakers will be able to secure licenses to assemble foreign vehicles, according to a recent report published under the banner News. The development signals a shift in how domestic manufacturers can access imported designs and engineering know-how while keeping production aligned with local market needs. Licenses are expected to play a central role in expanding the Russian lineup without compromising local capacity or regulatory compliance.
The report explains that the cost of obtaining such licenses will be weighed when calculating a company’s localization level. Presently, it is law that each 1 percent spent on research and development translates into 400 localization points. This mechanism is intended to encourage sustained investment in innovation while enabling automakers to demonstrate real progress toward domestic content and capabilities.
The government had planned to intensify this threshold gradually, but the Ministry of Industry and Trade opted to maintain the current points framework for 2023. While this provides stability for planning, there are concerns about a potential shortage of qualified personnel in the domestic auto sector. Engineers, designers, and technical specialists are in greater demand as production lines adapt to license-based assembly and the integration of foreign platforms within local factories.
Independent automotive industry consultant Sergei Burgazliev points out that Russian firms are likely to rely on licensing partnerships with Chinese manufacturers to bolster their production capabilities. This approach could help accelerate access to proven platforms, streamlined supply chains, and shared engineering resources while meeting localization targets. Burgazliev emphasizes that collaboration with established foreign players may mitigate the talent gap and supply constraints by leveraging existing expertise and joint development efforts.
Earlier reports highlighted that the Moskvich 3 crossover is expected to carry a starting price of 1.97 million rubles, illustrating how licensing strategies intersect with pricing and market positioning. As the auto sector navigates licensing opportunities, manufacturers must balance cost, localization incentives, and consumer expectations to maintain competitiveness in both domestic and export-oriented markets. The evolving policy environment will likely shape the pace of new model introductions and the mix of locally produced versus imported components, with licensing agreements serving as a key tempo of change for the industry. In this shifting landscape, industry observers will continue to monitor regulatory updates, corporate partnerships, and the ability of firms to translate policy signals into practical, scalable production outcomes.