OAO Moskvitch stopped production of cars in 2002 when it filed for bankruptcy, which was finalized in 2006. We first learned of the brand’s revival in May this year when Renault decided to sell its 67.69% stake in AvtoVAZ to the Automobile Research and Development Center and the Engine Institute. Russia (NAMI). The decision was taken because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which also prompted Nissan to leave the country earlier this month.
European Automotive News citing Moscow’s mayor Sergei Sobyanin as saying the new Moskvich cars will start rolling off the assembly line in early December 2022. When Renault sold its controlling stake in the Renault Avtoframos plant, Sobyanin promised that thousands of jobs would be kept at the Moscow Automotive Plant renamed Moscow. The facility ceased operations after Renault decided to leave Russia and has not produced cars since.
18 Photo
The plan by the end of the year will assemble 600 vehicles, with 200 pure electric vehicles. For 2023, Moskvich intends to increase production to 50,000 units. To make this happen, five billion rubles (about $82 million) were invested in the plant according to an announcement made in August by the Moscow mayor’s office in collaboration with Kamaz.
Truck makers are interested in finding partners to build cars, and AN reported it in collaboration with JAC Motors. The Chinese automaker is believed to supply not only the design and engineering platforms, but also the equipment needed by factories to make cars.
It is worth mentioning that although Renault has left Russia, the signed deal allows the French automaker to buy back its stake in the next six years. Nissan, which also sold its assets to NAMI for €1 has a similar deal, meaning it could theoretically return at any time until 2029.
