After deciding to take control of the Nissan plant in St. Petersburg under AvtoVAZ management, the future use of the facility depends on a few clear strategic choices. In a program broadcast by Sputnik radio, Maxim Kadakov, editor-in-chief of Za Rulem, outlined two workable scenarios that could shape near-term production utilization.
One path envisions the partner company continuing to manufacture vehicles under its own brand while AvtoVAZ oversees the production process and the site’s day-to-day operations. In this setup, the organizer would steer the manufacturing flow, enforce quality controls, and coordinate the supply chain, while AvtoVAZ would manage daily production activities to align with broader corporate goals. The aim would be to keep the plant integrated within a larger brand ecosystem, preserve the existing know-how, and maintain continuity for local workers and suppliers. Kadakov suggested this arrangement could minimize disruption and hasten integration with the plant’s current capabilities.
The second option involves obtaining authorization from a new partner to produce vehicles under AvtoVAZ’s own brand, accompanied by a gradual localization of parts and processes. In this scenario, the plant would receive vehicle kits, assemble the cars locally, and display AvtoVAZ emblems once localization milestones are met. Kadakov notes a precedent with the Moskvich project, where localization and branding decisions progressed in phases. This route would emphasize higher domestic content, potentially boosting regional supplier development and reducing reliance on imported parts over time.
From Kadakov’s view, the plant’s core identity should endure even as ownership shares shift. Nissan retains the option to repurchase its stake, a factor that could influence long-term governance and strategic planning. A third-party investor from allied countries might also be invited to participate in the plant’s modernization program. Such an investor would provide capital for upgrading facilities and help shift toward updated production technologies, aligning lines at the St. Petersburg site with evolving product specifications.
Industry observers have also weighed the state’s role in this transition. Denis Manturov, former head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, has discussed the possibility that AvtoVAZ would operate the former Nissan facility in St. Petersburg. If realized, production could resume with a staged ramp-up designed to match market demand and national industrial policy. The timeline for revival, including when production would start, remains contingent on regulatory approvals, supplier readiness, and the successful integration of the plant’s workforce with any revised vehicle lineup.
In mid-October, reports indicated that Nissan’s governing board approved the sale of Nissan Manufacturing Rus and certain other Russian assets to the Russian Federation, represented by FSUE NAMI, an entity under the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The St. Petersburg factory began operations in June 2009, producing popular crossover models such as the X-Trail, Murano, Qashqai, and Terrano. The sale and subsequent transfer raise questions about the continuity of production lines, the retention of skilled professionals, and how the plant will align with Russia’s broader automotive ambitions. These evolving developments emphasize the need for clear governance, stable investment plans, and transparent milestones as the plant moves into a new phase under state-affiliated stewardship or a mixed ownership framework. The path chosen will likely shape the region’s automotive ecosystem for years to come, influencing supply chains, regional employment, and the competitiveness of domestic manufacturing on the global stage.
Ultimately, the St. Petersburg plant stands at a crossroads where branding decisions, localization speed, and investor participation will determine its role in the national automotive landscape. The options discussed by Kadakov reflect a balance between preserving existing capabilities and leveraging new strategic partnerships to modernize production. The coming months are expected to bring clarifications on branding, localization roadmaps, and governance structures as stakeholders weigh the best path to sustain and grow automotive manufacturing in Russia’s northern capital.