The Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia to evaluate the Lada Vesta assembly project in Uzbekistan, taking into account demand and components

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation will analyze the prospects for assembling Lada Vesta cars from AvtoVAZ in Uzbekistan, taking into account the degree of satisfaction of demand for cars of this brand in the domestic market, as well as opportunities for the production of components.

“It all depends on how the production volumes of components within the country will be increased and how demand will be met in the domestic market. Today we have, I would say, increased demand. I think that in the near future we will return to the assessment of this project, and a decision will be made,” Deputy Prime Minister - Head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov told reporters following the results of the fourth meeting of the joint commission at the level of heads of government of the Russian Federation and Uzbekistan.

Earlier this spring, the automaker announced that it was considering the possibility of launching assembly of AvtoVAZ’s flagship model Lada Vesta in Uzbekistan with the prospect of deepening localization.

Currently, Lada Vesta cars in the updated version (NG) are produced at AvtoVAZ facilities in Tolyatti. The cars are available in four body types: sedan, SW, Cross sedan and SW Cross. The automaker stated that by the end of the year it plans to produce up to 100 thousand cars of this line. As of the end of August 2023, the share of Lada Vesta, deliveries of which to dealers in an updated version began in May, reached 20%.

In general, AvtoVAZ’s production plan for 2023, approved by the board of directors chaired by Manturov, amounts to 401.6 thousand vehicles.

Commenting on Monday on the possibility of cooperation with Uzbek colleagues in the automotive industry in the Russian Federation, including the use of sites previously owned by investors from unfriendly countries, Manturov said: “Today we have almost all sites, if you mean in Russia, where we were originally foreign brands - decisions were made on all platforms; no additional requests or proposals were received from Uzbek colleagues.”