Waiting for the "window": AvtoVAZ shares plans for 2026
AvtoVAZ intends to increase car production by a quarter in 2026 and strengthen its position in export markets. During the year, the model range of the domestic automaker will be replenished with the first crossover in the company's history, as well as a van and a sports car. Izvestia found out when the new products will be available and whether they will allow achieving the planned results.
"We produce as much as we need"
By the end of 2025, AvtoVAZ produced 325,000 vehicles. Maxim Sokolov, president of the company, announced this at a press conference. He clarified that, taking into account external macroeconomic factors, the initial plan was adjusted by decision of the Board of Directors. Last summer, the top manager of the Russian manufacturer announced the figure of 500 thousand cars scheduled for production over the past year.
— In 2026, we expect to produce about 400,000 vehicles at sites in Tolyatti, Izhevsk, St. Petersburg and Chechnya, which is a quarter more than in 2025. We produce not as much as we can, but as much as the market needs. We assume that the country's car market will not grow much in 2026 and, according to our forecasts, will amount to about 1.5 million cars," said the head of AvtoVAZ.
He noted that AvtoVAZ is capable of producing up to 600-650 thousand cars per year, but the market currently does not need such a number of cars. According to Maxim Sokolov, the production plan approved by the Board of Directors for the current year is balanced and is designed, on the one hand, to prevent dealers from overstocking, and on the other, to ensure the company's sustainable financial development.
Export potential
Taking into account the stocks of cars manufactured in 2024, the total sales of Lada and Xcite brands in 2025 amounted to 351.4 thousand cars, said Dmitry Kostromin, AvtoVAZ Vice President for Sales and Marketing. He noted that the brand's market share was 24%, and the company intends to increase it to 25% in 2026. The Lada Granta family became the leader (133.4 thousand units; market share 10.4%). Vesta is in second place (75.1 thousand units; 5.6%), 57% of sales were sedans. The Lada Niva family of SUVs became the third (a total of 69.6 thousand units for two models; 4.8%). Sales of Lada commercial vehicles amounted to 14.2 thousand units, the share in the segment increased to 98%.
— The current year will be difficult in terms of sales, especially in the first half of the year. A slight positive trend is expected in the second half of the year, and significant market growth is projected only in 2027," said AVTOVAZ's top manager.
According to Dmitry Kostromin, 20.7 thousand Lada cars were exported last year. In particular, deliveries of cars to Venezuela, Libya, Egypt and Abkhazia have begun. In addition, the certification process for Lada cars in Vietnam has been completed, and new dealerships have opened in Belarus, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Yemen. Due to this, it is planned to increase the volume of export shipments to 30 thousand cars in 2026, said the vice president of AVTOVAZ.
In addition to sales of finished cars in other countries, AvtoVAZ is actively developing assembly production abroad. One such project is already in operation, two sites in the CIS countries are currently in the active launch phase, and negotiations are underway on two more projects in non-CIS countries, the company said. AvtoVAZ representatives did not specify exactly where they plan to organize the production of Lada models, citing "high sanctions risks."
New items of the season
But AVTOVAZ's top managers were very willing to share their plans to expand the model range. During the year, the company will launch the first crossover in the brand's history, a range of commercial vehicles, and a sports car. In addition, several models already in production will be upgraded.
The main novelty will be the Lada Azimut crossover shown at SPIEF 2025. The start of serial production is scheduled for the third quarter of 2026, Maxim Sokolov said. The price remains a mystery for now.
— The exact price of Lada Azimut is not yet known even to me. Everything will depend on the market. We will announce it as close as possible to the start of sales, which is likely to take place in the fourth quarter of 2026," said the head of AVTOVAZ.
However, as the Izvestia correspondent found out on the sidelines of the event, AvtoVAZ will focus on its main competitors when determining the price of Azimut — the Belgee X50 and Tenet T4 are considered such by the company. Now these crossovers cost about 2.5 million rubles, so we can assume that the novelty will cost about this amount or will be a little more affordable.
Lada Azimut will receive two engines — a 1.6-liter unit with a capacity of 120 hp and a 1.8 engine with 132 hp. They will be paired with a six-speed "mechanics" or a CVT, later a version with a "classic" six-speed "automatic" is possible.
In addition to the crossover, AvtoVAZ will also launch light commercial models during the year.
— We are waiting for the "window" for the most successful launch of the SKM brand on the market — this will happen in 2026. The line will include an all—metal van and a passenger version," said Maxim Sokolov.
AvtoVAZ has prepared a surprise for fans of dynamic driving: sales of the "charged" version of Lada Vesta Sport will begin in the summer. Production is scheduled to begin in the spring, said Sergey Kornienko, the company's head of product marketing. He noted that the sports version of the Vesta will be equipped with a 1,8-liter engine with a capacity of 146 hp in combination with a six-speed manual transmission. The Sport modification will receive both a sedan and a station wagon, Sergey Kornienko emphasized.
A little earlier, approximately in the middle of spring, the classic Lada Niva Legend SUV will receive a new 1.8—liter engine - the same engine is already being installed on the Niva Travel. In addition, according to AvtoVAZ, this year the Iskra, Vesta and Aura models will receive new options, as well as updated powertrains.
Plans and reality
The plans announced by AvtoVAZ to produce 400,000 cars during 2026 are realistic, experts interviewed by Izvestia believe. However, their implementation will largely depend on many external factors, they note.
— If the current conditions are maintained, the plan of 400 thousand cars is quite feasible. But now no one can say with certainty what the geopolitical situation in our country and in the world will be tomorrow, how the key interest rate and, consequently, the conditions for lending will change. No expert can accurately predict the ruble exchange rate during the year. And these factors can have a very serious impact on the market as a whole, and therefore on production plans," says Maxim Kadakov, editor—in-chief of Za Rulem magazine.
Lada Azimut will be the main premiere of this year, he noted. However, the success of this model will primarily depend on the price, he stressed.
It will not be easy for AvtoVAZ to fulfill the announced plans without the risk of overproduction, says Igor Morzharetto, partner at the Autostat analytical agency. In his opinion, the main difficulty is related to the fact that among the announced new products there is no real "driver" that would help significantly increase sales during the year.
— Azimut can be such a locomotive. But in fact, it will appear on the market only at the end of the year and simply will not have time to have a serious impact on the annual sales level. Lada Vesta Sport is certainly an expected, but at the same time niche model, which in principle does not involve mass production and sales. A certain revival of sales may result from the appearance of a Niva with a new engine on the market," the expert believes.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
