Toyota's factory in St. Petersburg has been unlocked by Aurus.
In a notable development for the automotive sector in Russia, the domestic Aurus brand has assumed control of the former Toyota plant in St. Petersburg, with plans to restart car production in 2026.
The decision to revive the enterprise was confirmed by Vice-Governor Kirill Poliakov, following the signing of an agreement between Governor Alexander Beglov and Aurus head Andrey Pankov at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Preparations for the plant's reopening in the Shuvalov district commenced on March 17, 2025.
While the identity of the foreign partner backing the production remains unannounced, sources hint that negotiations are ongoing. Vice-Governor Kirill Poliakov has not divulged any details about the foreign partner, adding an air of mystery to the project.
The plant, which halted operations in March 2022 after 15 years of production, was previously renowned for producing models such as the Camry and RAV4. However, under Aurus, the focus will shift to premium automobiles, with the Senat brand set to take center stage.
The Senat brand, which currently produces a luxury sedan for the Garage of Special Purpose (GON) and for sale to government officials and private individuals, will manufacture its vehicles at the former plant. The plant's production capacity is estimated at 100,000 units annually, and the Senat brand lineup will include two sedans and a crossover.
The restart of the plant, which was initially delayed to an indefinite time in November 2023, is now back on track. Aurus is actively seeking qualified employees for work at the reopened plant, as the company gears up for production.
As the details emerge, the automotive industry in Russia and beyond eagerly anticipates the resumption of car production at the former Toyota plant in St. Petersburg in 2026.
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