A fresh exhibition has opened at the Izhevsk Automobile Plant Museum, inviting visitors to explore a focused display on the Lada Vesta family. The presentation sits within the main exhibition hall and highlights the development, manufacture, and evolution of the Vesta line. The vehicle’s serial production began in September 2015 and concluded in August 2022. The updated Vesta NG variants rolled off the line almost immediately after their launch, delivering the latest design and engineering improvements by February to March of 2022. This exhibit offers visitors a narrative of continuity and renewal in Russian automotive engineering, tracking how a modern family of sedans matured from conception to a refined production platform.
In the subsequent phase, Vesta production is transitioning to Togliatti, where the redesigned Vesta NG family is slated to commence production in March 2023. Izhevsk will retain manufacturing facilities, partially dedicated to the assembly of electric Largus models, and to preserving a segment of the Vesta story in its final form for the Izhevsk site. This shift marks a strategic realignment in the regional auto industry, balancing traditional internal combustion engineering with the emerging emphasis on electric powertrains and new industrial workflows that sustain the museum’s educational mission. For visitors, the exhibit space in Izhevsk remains a living archive, illustrating how a major national brand adapts to changing market demands while maintaining a connection to its manufacturing roots.
The museum display includes key mechanical and structural elements from Vesta, such as engines and gearboxes, along with body fragments where welding and painting were performed in Izhevsk. Also showcased are plastic components from the updated family, including door trim and bumpers. These artifacts help explain the assembly sequence and the material choices that define the Vesta NG family, offering a tangible sense of scale and engineering detail for enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. The inclusion of these parts underscores the collaboration between design, manufacturing, and regional supply chains that keep a modern automobile program viable.
An interesting note about production flows: the plastic components destined for Vesta will continue to be manufactured in Izhevsk and then delivered to the Vesta line in Togliatti. This logistical arrangement reflects a deliberate strategy to leverage regional capabilities while consolidating final assembly in a single geographic hub. The expectation is that Vesta NG will achieve full serial production in its new homeland, supported by a robust network of suppliers and the expertise housed at the Izhevsk facilities. Museum staff and industry observers alike see this transition as a microcosm of broader national manufacturing trends, where legacy sites preserve expertise and push forward with modernized product families.
Key milestones include the anticipated resumption of production in Togliatti in March 2023, with some configurations, specifically those equipped with automatic transmissions, to follow later. This phased approach mirrors typical industry rollouts, allowing the supply chain to ramp up gradually while ensuring quality control and the integration of new manufacturing technologies. For context, observers note that the reorganization aligns with strategic plans observed across the broader automotive sector, where regional plants retool to accommodate updated platforms while maintaining workforce continuity and regional economic activity. Although some online chatter exists about the project, museum curators emphasize that the narrative remains grounded in verifiable factory history and the tangible artifacts on display.
For those who want a closer look behind the scenes, there is an extended note that insights into this evolution are also accessible through the museum’s public channels, including curated video content. The exhibit invites visitors to consider not only the technical dimensions of the Vesta NG family but also the social and economic context in which these vehicles were designed, built, and continuously upgraded. As the community watches the industry adapt, the Izhevsk site serves as a repository of hands-on history that connects past production practices with future mobility goals, all while contributing to ongoing lessons about industrial resilience and regional innovation. Inquiries and discussions about the Vesta project on social platforms further illuminate the public interest in this enduring automotive tale.
Video: YouTube / IN THE IZHEVSK FACTORY