A new production line for the Volga brand is set to launch in Russia in 2026, in collaboration with Chinese manufacturer Geely.
The production of the iconic Volga cars will resume at facilities in Nizhny Novgorod, with PLA (Personnel Car Production) announcing that assembly will begin in the second quarter of 2026. PLA holds exclusive rights to the Volga brand and is tasked with implementing this project. The assembly will take place at a plant that previously produced Volga and Ε koda cars under a contract with Volkswagen, with an expected annual output capacity of up to 110,000 vehicles.
Currently, the plant's infrastructure and equipment are being prepared for mass production, and PLA assures that the production volume will gradually increase to meet planned capacities. This initiative represents a significant shift in the Russian automotive landscape, as the introduction of Chinese vehicles potentially gives them a competitive edge in the Russian market due to more advanced technology and manufacturing efficiencies.
The partnership between PLA and Geely marks an important development in the context of automotive manufacturing in Russia, particularly following the historical legacy of the Volga brand from the Soviet era. The resurgence of Volga cars underscores the changing dynamics of the market as China establishes a stronger foothold in Russia's automotive sector, reflecting broader geopolitical shifts in manufacturing and trade relations.
