Approximate dates for the restart of former Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen plants in Russia became known

Which cars will be installed on the conveyors of these enterprises is still not reported. It is only known that the plant in the Moscow region, owned by Avtodom, will launch the production of passenger cars.

The German concern Volkswagen began looking for buyers for its Russian business in 2022, and the deal was finalized in May of this year. Art-Finance LLC became the new owner of the former VW assets in the Russian Federation: this structure is part of the large car dealer holding Avilon. At the end of last month, the amount of the deal became known: according to the report of the concern, the Germans sold their Russian business for 125 million euros.

p> As a result of the transaction, Avilon became the owner of: a production site in Kaluga, Volkswagen Group Rus LLC, Volkswagen Components and Services LLC, Scania Leasing LLC, Scania Finance LLC and Scania Insurance LLC. In June, it became known that the former Russian subsidiary of VW changed its name: now it is AGR Automotive Group.

According to the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov, quoted by TASS, the production of cars at the former Volkswagen plant in Kaluga can be launched as early as this year. Recently, the governor of the Kaluga region, Vladislav Shapsha, spoke about the same. There is no information about which models of brands it is planned to produce at this enterprise yet. Avilon holding has not yet disclosed which companies are applying for the place of its partners. According to rumors, there is a Chinese company Chery on this list.

The production capacity of the AGR enterprise is designed to produce up to 225 thousand cars annually. Until the spring of last year, the Volkswagen Tiguan crossover, which was once in demand in the country, as well as the Volkswagen Polo and Skoda Rapid liftbacks, left the local assembly line. In addition, a motor plant is located here, designed to produce 150,000 gasoline engines per year.

Another German automaker, Mercedes-Benz, sold its Russian assets in April this year. Their new owner was the Avtodom Group of Companies, following the transaction, the Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Rus plant near Moscow, Mercedes-Benz Rus JSC (official distributor in the Russian Federation), Mercedes-Benz Bank Rus, Mercedes- Benz Financial Services Rus (a leasing subsidiary) and Mercedes-Benz Capital Rus (the company was previously engaged in leasing, factoring and car insurance). In May, it became known about the rebranding: JSC «MB RUS» replaced JSC «Mercedes-Benz Rus». » />

As the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation noted, the Avtodom Group of Companies may resume car production at the former Russian Mercedes-Benz plant next year. He explained that Avtodom still needs to «finalize its agreements with selected industrial partners.» Who plays their role, Denis Manturov, did not say, but added that the production of passenger cars would be launched at the site.

Recall that earlier the production of E-Class sedans, GLE, GLC and GLS crossovers. According to unconfirmed information, cars of the Chinese luxury brand Hongqi (read “hunts”, and translated as “red flag”), owned by the FAW concern, can get on the conveyor of this plant. By the way, this Celestial brand officially announced its entry into the Russian market in April this year.