in Russian car market never stops falling Because sanctions against Russia, new car sales fell and car production plummeted. In one year, from October 2021 to October 2022. the market collapsed by 63%. Manufacturers of tires, spare parts, and foreign car manufacturers have limited or completely stopped their activities in the country. Nissan, Ford, Toyota, Mazda closed their factoriesand slammed the door of the largest country in the world. Renaultof which Russia was after France the second largest market, sold factories in Moscow, Tolyatti and Izhevsk for a symbolic ruble. Striking image: Last May, technicians knocked the letters RENAULT off the facade of the Avtoframos plant in Moscow, one of Renault’s main plants in Russia.

The return of the iconic brand

Where have we been since then? After several months of uncertainty As for the future of the site, it is to everyone’s surprise production would be resumed, with branded models… Moskvich ! A name that takes us back to the golden age Soviet Union. At that time, there were several large national manufacturers in the country. Lada, Izh and Muscovite for entry level, GAS for the middle range. ZIS (then ZIL after Stalin’s death) for the upper part of the range. “Moskvich” began production in 1945 with the 400, which was simply a Opel Kadett modified for the local market. The brand experienced its heyday in the 60s and 70s, then declined in the 80s. He produced cars until 2001, and disappeared in 2006. At least that’s what we thought now that she seems to be back!

Chinese SUVs of Russian “production”

or these ads urge cautionthis is because the announced “great return” of the Muscovite only gives results Chinese SUV JAC assembly, with the stamp “Moskvich”. So, no significant revolution or novelty. Especially since with lack of components on the Russian market, it is hard to believe that these models could be produced on the territory of the country. This is in the worst case Chinese importat best a kit assembly from imported Chinese spare parts. The manufacturer has already announced a potential future model, with Muscovite Korida. It will be a JAC Sehol Yao collected under license. Ironically, the Moskvich models will come from the old one Renault plant. At the same time, the manufacturer was the majority shareholder until May from AvtoVAZ-Ladaa great historical competitor of Muscovite.