Under the Moskvich brand, the production of Chinese cars will be localized at the facilities of the former Renault Russia plant in the capital, first with an internal combustion engine, and later with an EV.
According to one of the options for the development of production, Kamaz can agree on the localization of the JAC compact electric car
Instead of Renault models in Moscow, Chinese electric vehicles under the Moskvich brand may begin to be assembled at the facilities of the former Renault Russia plant. By the end of the year, it is planned to begin production of cars with conventional engines, and later switch to electric vehicles, write Vedomosti, citing two interlocutors familiar with the plans of Kamaz.
Representatives of Kamaz and the Moscow mayor’s office declined to comment. A representative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade told Vedomosti that the concept of production at the Moskvich plant (formerly Renault Russia) would be presented in the near future by the Moscow government together with Kamaz. According to one of the interlocutors, Kamaz is negotiating with its current partner, the JAC automaker, and the city authorities are working on cooperation with another Chinese automaker. A fundamental decision on the model for production has not yet been made, the interlocutors of the newspaper noted.
The production site in Moscow is vacated due to the withdrawal of Renault from Russia. French company sells its stake in Avtovaz (67.69%) for a symbolic price of 1 ruble subordinated to the Ministry of Industry and Trade Federal State Unitary Enterprise NAMI with a repurchase option within six years. The Renault Russia plant on Volgogradsky Prospekt in Moscow becomes the property of the city also for 1 ruble. The production of Renault cars in the capital is being stopped, the plant will produce cars under the Moskvich brand, Mayor of the capital Sergey Sobyanin said earlier.
At the beginning of 2022, Kamaz launched the Kompas light-duty truck on the market, which, in fact, represents the Chinese JAC truck after brand engineering. The car was adapted to the operating conditions in Russia, in particular, elements of the chassis and electronics that control the engine were reinforced in it. Kamaz planned to localize the main units and assemblies of the Compass in 5-6 years, including the cabin and its elements, as well as the Cummins engine.
