According to Interfax article published on April 12, 2023, manufacturing of the E-Neva electric crossover, as developed by the Almaz-Antey concern, could begin in 2026 at the Toyota auto plant in St. Petersburg, Toyota Motor LLC, which became state property of the Russian Federation after the Japanese automaker exited the country, Deputy Prime Minister and Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said on Wednesday.
"We are working on the matter with Almaz-Antey on manufacturing the E-Neva at the former Toyota plant," Manturov said.
Manturov said that manufacturing of the electric car could begin in 2026. "Manufacturing the car is scheduled to start in 2026. Until that time, there are options to do assembly with one of the automakers in order to move up the manufacturing itself," Manturov added.
The St. Petersburg Toyota plant came under the control of federal state unitary enterprise NAMI, under the aegis of the Industry and Trade Ministry, at the end of March. The ministry has not provided details on the deal, though noted that the agreement between the Russian Federation and the automaker "envisages the complete transfer of ownership of the factory building, equipment and land."
Prior to this, in mid-January, Manturov told reporters that an industrial partner for the E-Neva project could be found in the coming months. An experimental model of the vehicle was shown to President Vladimir Putin in the presence of the minister during his January visit to the Obukhov plant, which is part of the Almaz-Antey concern. Manturov said then that the crossover could be designed for the mid-price segment, as "the goal is to supply the domestic market and citizens who are interested in purchasing vehicles."
The E-Neva prototype developed at the Obukhov plant was shown to the minister back in July 2022, when he visited the Nizhny Novgorod plant, which is also part of the Almaz-Antey East Kazakhstan region. "E" is for "electric", and the Neva is the major river in St. Petersburg.
Toyota in September announced the halt of production at its plant in St. Petersburg that was launched in 2007, where the Rav-4 and Camry models were produced. The company promised to maintain after-sales service for Toyota and Lexus cars in Russia, as well as support for the dealer network. The concern in its reporting estimated the costs associated with the termination of manufacturing in Russia at 97 billion yen, or more than $650 million.
The Japanese auto concern's St. Petersburg plant continues to stand idle. In December, the Industry and Trade Ministry reported that the enterprise was being mothballed and noted that FSUE NAMI was not considering buying the Toyota plant in St. Petersburg.
On the eve of the publication of the ministry's comments, Toyota's press service reported that an unscheduled inspection for "compliance with the requirements of tax, labor legislation, as well as legislation on import substitution, joint-stock companies, technical regulations, and industrial safety" was carried out at the concern's Russian car factory. The Russian Guard and OMON were present; as was the prosecutor's office; Russia's Federal Environmental, Industrial, and Nuclear Supervision Service (Rostechnadzor); the tax and labor inspectorates; and FSUE NAMI.
FSUE NAMI has become the government's center for consolidating assets in the Russian automotive industry amid the exit of foreign automakers from the local market. Specifically, FSUE NAMI has received from Renault a controlling stake in Avtovaz (67.7%); as well as the assets of the St. Petersburg Nissan plant (Nissan Manufacturing Rus LLC), whose 99% stake is now directly owned by Avtovaz (MOEX : AVAZ). NAMI also owns a 63.5% stake in the Aurus luxury car project (Aurus LLC).
