The former General Motors car factory in St. Petersburg is slated to resume production in 2026. This timeline was confirmed by officials involved in Russia’s industrial policy, with the current owner, Art-Finance via its subsidiary AGR, already engaging a prospective partner for the revival project. The project reflects a broader move to restart assembly operations once key agreements and funding are in place.
AGR is actively formulating an investment program to restart production at the Hyundai General Motors site. The company has indicated that serial production could begin in 2026, pending final agreements with a potential technological partner. At this stage, discussions center on the scope of collaboration and the terms under which the factory could operate again.
Hyundai acquired the previously idle plant in 2020 after it had halted operations in 2015. Plans at that time anticipated the manufacture of Hyundai Tucson, Hyundai Palisade, and Kia Sportage models. Production was paused in 2022 due to supply chain challenges affecting components. In the ensuing period, Hyundai’s assets were transferred to Art-Finance, which now leads the restart initiative.
There were earlier reports about the Avtodom Group of Companies, which had acquired Mercedes assets in Russia, and their status regarding the Yesipovo facility near Moscow. At that time, it was unclear which car brand would ultimately be produced at the factory, with decisions still pending as the market structure evolves.
In related developments, a separate legal action concluded with a court ruling in Nizhny Novgorod concerning a claim linked to a major automotive brand, reflecting ongoing shifts in the Russian automotive landscape. Each move underscores the careful coordination required among manufacturers, investors, and regulatory authorities to restore production capacity in key regions. (Source: TASS)