The Russian Minister of Industry and Trade, Denis Manturov, announced that the updated Volga will keep its existing emblem while adopting a refreshed exterior design. He stated this during remarks at an international exhibition and forum covered by TASS, highlighting the project’s ties to the Russia event network.
Manturov confirmed that the relaunch of the upgraded model will occur in collaboration with a foreign automaker. The joint venture is planned to be based in the Nizhny Novgorod automobile cluster, leveraging regional automotive strengths and global partnerships.
He noted that all necessary agreements are in their final stages. Production work has continued steadily since the decision was first made in May 2023, with expectations that the car would enter production in mid-2024. Manturov described the new model as a completely modern interpretation, emphasizing that the logo — a deer — is a globally recognized symbol that anchors the vehicle’s brand identity.
Regarding design lineage, Manturov drew a connection between the Volga’s visual continuity and the premium aesthetics associated with classic luxury brands, suggesting an alignment with the timeless elegance once linked to the ZIL and ZIS names in the styling language of Russian automotive history.
Earlier updates had already signaled milestones for the program, including the restart of manufacturing capabilities at the former Volkswagen facility in Kaluga. The company indicated notable progress as part of a broader strategy to revive and modernize domestic automotive production, aligning with broader industry trends and consumer demand for high-quality, domestically developed vehicles.
In context, the discussion around the Volga project sits alongside related automotive developments, including ongoing conversations about refreshed designs and reimagined brand silhouettes for established models. The collaboration framework and manufacturing plans underscore a vision of combining international expertise with Russian industrial capacity to deliver a modern sedan that resonates with a wide audience across the region. The broader industry landscape continues to monitor these moves as part of a larger push toward advanced manufacturing and global competitiveness in the North American and European markets.