TASHKENT, Apr 25 AvtoVAZ is negotiating with the three largest Chinese auto concerns on the possible assembly of new models under the Lada brand at its three plants, expects to come to an agreement already this year, AvtoVAZ president Maxim Sokolov told reporters.
«We are negotiating with several major Chinese partners. And I really hope that this process will be successfully finalized in all areas. We have not only a site in St. Petersburg as an asset and temporarily free capacities. There is a site in Izhevsk. And there is even an assembly plant, directly in Tolyatti, where Chevrolet Niva used to be produced (former GM-Avtovaz plant — ed.),” Sokolov said on the sidelines of the Innoprom exhibition in Tashkent.
«Three sites, three partners,» he said, answering a question about the number of companies with whom negotiations are underway.
Sokolov also added that AvtoVAZ expects to agree with new partners on the assembly as early as 2023. «Of course, this year,» he said, answering a clarifying question.
Sokolov stressed that new models, the production of which is being discussed with Chinese partners, are planned to be produced under the Lada brand. “At the same time, we are not going to show off to anyone. We are talking about the fact that today this is a Chinese product, but at the same time, taking into account the capabilities of AvtoVAZ, its engineering center, which employs 3.5 thousand specialists, we will move towards the localization of this vehicle,» he added.
We are also talking about assembling fundamentally new models, even for China itself. «We want to give our customers the most advanced products, some of which are not even certified in China yet,» the top manager said.
AvtoVAZ owns production sites in Tolyatti, Izhevsk and St. Petersburg. In mid-May last year, the French Renault transferred its stake in AvtoVAZ (67.69%) to the state property of the Russian Federation. Now the brand consists of four families of models: Vesta, Largus, Granta and Niva. Sales of brand vehicles in 2022 amounted to 188.6 thousand vehicles (-46% compared to 2021).