2023-06-17 13:25:00
Today AVTOVAZ started assembling Chinese cars. The first model was the Lada X-Cross 5, that is, the renamed FAW Bestune T77 crossover of the 2018 model. Such Chinese-made machines have been sold in Russia since December 2021. Six months ago, the restyled Bestune T77 debuted in China, but the pre-reform crossover became Lada.
The Chinese FAW Bestune T77 with a length of 4525 mm is a mass-dimensional analogue of the Volkswagen Tiguan or Mazda CX-5 models. AvtoVAZ has not yet disclosed all the details regarding the new Lada, but, apparently, the differences from the Chinese Bestyun come down only to emblems and nameplates on the body. So far, the Chinese logo on the steering wheel has been preserved and the engine has not even been recalibrated to reduce power to a tax-friendly bar. It is stated that the Lada X-Cross 5 crossover is equipped with a 160-horsepower turbo engine, a seven-speed “robot” with two clutches and front-wheel drive. Everything is like the Chinese source FAW Bestune T77, which we recently described in detail in the Auto Review comparative test.
The assembly of the “Chinese” is organized not in Togliatti, but at the former Nissan plant in St. Petersburg. This venture was launched in 2009 with an initial investment of $200 million. Subsequently, another 167 million euros were spent on expanding the site, the capacity was increased from 50 to 100 thousand vehicles per year, and related production facilities appeared. In recent years, Nissan Qashqai, X-Trail and Murano crossovers have been produced here, all of them in a full cycle, with welding and body painting.
Production was halted in March 2022, and in the fall, Nissan announced its withdrawal from Russia and transferred all of its assets to NAMI (although it retained the right to repurchase within six years). In February of this year, the former Nissan plant came under the control of AVTOVAZ, and in early June it was renamed Lada St. Petersburg. It is stated that the equipment has been modernized here (including the main conveyor), the processes of internal logistics and assembly production have been revised. But the assembly of FAW crossovers is organized according to the simplest SKD method, the degree of localization is near zero. In a word, everything is organized according to the same scheme as at the Moskvich plant.
Until the end of this year, AvtoVAZ plans to assemble 10,000 cars at the St. Petersburg plant, and this number includes not only X-Cross 5 SUVs, but also larger D-class crossovers. Transition for the production of a full cycle (with welding and painting of bodies) is scheduled for 2024, at the same time the localization of components and the production of a certain D-class sedan will begin. TO In 2027, the Lada St. Petersburg plant plans to produce more than 100,000 cars a year.
Information regarding trim levels and prices of the crossover is not yet available. It was announced that the Lada X-Cross 5 has a panoramic roof, all-round cameras, a set of electronic driver assistants and a media system, and eco-leather, soft plastic and wood-like inserts are used for interior trim. Again, everything is like the Chinese source. The imported FAW Bestune T77 is now offered in four trim levels at prices ranging from 2.17 million to 2.43 million rubles. Perhaps Lada will be a little cheaper: the start of sales is expected in August.
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