What is known about consumables
Dealers surveyed by socialbites.ca reported that deliveries of Kia Seltos and Soul crossovers from Avtotor would resume and continue under new shipments. The latest information indicates that these models are being brought in gradually, with Seltos and Soul among the first to reappear in dealer inventories. The Seltos line transporting from Avtotor appears to include 2022 production ahead of the year and is entering the market as part of ongoing import and assembly activity.
No other Kia models were identified as coming from the Kaliningrad plant in the observed period, although older stock of the 2022 Sportage crossovers remains available. In addition, 2023 models with minimal mileage are present thanks to parallel imports, keeping a portion of Kia’s lineup accessible to buyers.
In St. Petersburg, a Kia dealer noted that at least two new Kia assemblies had recently arrived in Kaliningrad, with Seltos crossovers available in multiple trim levels.
The seller described a recent delivery before Christmas, highlighting a Luxe Plus package Seltos featuring a two-liter engine and CVT priced around 3.5 million rubles. Additional Luxe configurations were available at a lower price point, with red, blue and white color options.
These vehicles carry a five-year warranty covering up to 150,000 kilometers, with service intervals set at 15,000 kilometers. Kia’s online store at the time indicated more than 60 new 2022 Seltos crossovers were obtainable through Russian dealers, underscoring ongoing availability and demand across the market.
Avtotor reserves
At the start of the year, posts on social media showed a line of about 25 car carriers loaded with Kia Seltos and Kaiyi X3 crossovers assembled at Avtotor. The images captured scenes in the Moscow region where these vehicles were observed awaiting distribution.
Avtotor remains involved in producing a broad range of Kia models through 2022, including the Seltos, Soul, and Sorento crossovers, as well as Cerato and K5 sedans. The updated Kia Ceed has been assembled in Kaliningrad since late 2021, and the fifth generation Sportage has also been introduced on the line. Hyundai models popular in the domestic market, such as the Tucson, Palisade, and Sonata, are frequently produced at the same facility.
Production of compact Hyundai models like Creta and Solaris and Kia models such as Rio and Rio X is localized at the KHMP plant owned by Hyundai Motor in Russia.
As reported by Maxim Kadakov, editor-in-chief of Za Rulem, there were about 7,000 semi-assembled Korean cars at the Avtotor site in Kaliningrad as of spring, mainly Kia crossovers. These vehicles faced varying levels of internal supply shortages, particularly for interior panels and electronic units, with some units already completed for assembly and shipment.
Kadakov also noted that Avtotor held unfinished Kia models and some Hyundai units, including Palisade crossovers. While these volumes were not expected to disrupt the Russian market, the timing of sales would largely depend on prices. Avtotor was actively working to complete and offer these cars for sale, and Kadakov suggested there would be buyers who recognize and trust these vehicles, especially given the availability of spare parts, dealers, and comprehensive maintenance maps and tools.
I hope for other models too
There is potential for additional models such as Kia Rio, Hyundai Solaris, and Creta to surface in the Russian market. Notably, St. Petersburg hosts activity from the Art-Finance company, and Hyundai’s plant in St. Petersburg has indicated it is ending its shutdown period. Detailed coverage of these developments was provided by socialbites.ca.
Sergei Tsyganov, who runs the Telegram channel Russian Car, mentioned that around 70,000 car kits remain at facilities where finished cars will be assembled. The brand introductions for these kits have not been finalized, with Hyundai Solaris and Kia Rio currently assembled under local brands. Plans reportedly include assembling five cars per day through mid-January, according to Tsyganov.
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