Solaris cars, rebuilt from the remaining parts at the former Hyundai plant in St. Petersburg, are set to hit the market within a week with a price tag of 2.4 million rubles, according to Mash, a Telegram channel. The plan, described by a dealership source, indicates that a batch of 15 sedans will be shipped this week and offered at 2.4 million rubles each in the mid-range configuration. The model comes with a 1.6-liter engine and optional heated seats, providing a modest level of comfort for buyers looking at a compact saloon with practical features.
At the same time, a St. Petersburg dealership is listing the sole remaining 2022 Hyundai Solaris from older inventory for 2.5 million rubles, highlighting the lingering demand and price sensitivity in the used-car market as supply tightens amid broader industry shifts.
The Hyundai plant in St. Petersburg, which produced the Solaris along with Creta and the Rio lineup, including Rio X hatchbacks, has come under the control of its Russian owner, AGR LLC. Reports from AGR indicate the company began assembling cars under its own Solaris-branded banner toward the end of February, signaling a pivot toward independent production channels following the ownership transition.
Earlier indications suggested that the Kia Rio would debut in February 2024, reflecting the enduring popularity of these compact models in Russia’s automotive market. In this evolving landscape, the Solaris project represents a notable case of reconfiguration and localization, where a once foreign-borne brand is adapting to new ownership structures and market realities while continuing to compete in the budget-to-mid-range segment that dominates consumer choices in the region.