The head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov conducted a test drive of the new Lada Azimut crossover

The head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Anton Alikhanov, conducted a test drive of the Lada Azimut crossover, the serial production of which began on September 25 at AvtoVAZ. TASS reports this.

“We really hope that this product will be in demand,” the minister said, noting that he would also buy such a car, taking into account the fact that “there are more and more such cars in our cities.” “I want to thank the entire team, all those who worked on Lada Azimut. “You have proven that you can solve very complex problems,” he said (quoted by Interfax).

Russian President Vladimir Putin also congratulated the AvtoVAZ team on the start of serial production of the new crossover. “The creation of this car was the result of the coordinated creative work of a talented team of designers, engineers, designers, and specialists of various professions,” his message says. The head of state emphasized that we are talking about a completely Russian development, “the production of which will be a significant contribution to the further development of our automotive industry.”

Earlier, the company reported that by the end of 2026 it is planned to produce several thousand Lada Azimut, and the production plan for 2027 provides for the production of about 20 thousand cars.

The model is created on the Lada Vesta platform and is equipped with two naturally aspirated engines: a 1.6-liter 120 horsepower with a six-speed manual transmission and a 1.8-liter 132 horsepower with a CVT. Later, the car will receive a 150 horsepower turbo engine and a classic automatic transmission.

“For five years, AvtoVAZ has been operating without losses, showing profits. And this is very important, although these five years were very difficult. I want to thank the entire team, all those who worked on Lada Azimut. You have proven that you can solve very complex problems,” he said.