Russia revives Soviet-era Moskvich car brand using a former Renault plant and a possible ChinaDesign

Production of the Soviet-era Moskvich car relaunched in Russia on Wednesday, after a two year hiatus, at a former Renault factory near Moscow region. The renamed Moscow Automobile Plant Moskvich expects to produce 600 cars by the end of 2022, and 200 of which will be electric. Unlike its previous three-box saloon version, the Moskvich 3 is a muscular-looking petrol-powered crossover hatchback. It’s equipped with alloy wheels, LED slit-headlights and a large central touchscreen display. Russia’s Sputnik Agency said the Moskvich 3 was designed and manufactured based on the JS4 and Sehol E40X model by China’s JAC. The factory is part of an eight-year agreement with Russia’s truckmaker Kamaz to manufacture the domestically-produced vehicle. In 2023 at least 50,000 cars will be assembled, 10,000 of which will be electric, according to Kamaz, followed by 100,000, a fifth of which will be electric, in 2024. The launch of full-scale production after Russia’s take-over