Moskovskii Avtozavod recently announced the price of a crossover «Moskvich 3″: for this model, the company asked for almost 2 million rubles, which is very expensive for a similar car. Such a high cost is largely due to the fact that the Russian novelty is a complete copy JAC JS4. That is, customs duties and other fees are included in the price of the car. However, over time, the Moscow Automobile Plant must develop and launch the production of other, cheaper cars.
One of these models should be the revived Moskvich-412 2023-2024, the renders of which were presented by the domestic designer. This car could get its own body and, probably, a platform developed with the direct participation of the engineers of the capital enterprise and NAMI. However, it is more likely that the basis of the novelty will be a modified JAC “trolley”. This decision will simultaneously reduce the cost of Moskvich-412 and increase the localization of its production, which will ultimately have a positive effect on market prices.
There is a certain probability that thanks to the participation of NAMI, the presented model will receive a new engine. But it will take at least three years to develop, adapt and implement it. Therefore, most likely, one of the engines borrowed from JAC will appear under the hood of the Moskvich-412. At the same time, it is possible that by the time the development of this model is completed, the Moscow Automobile Plant will agree with a Chinese partner and will start the production of its engines at its own facilities. Each of these solutions will reduce the cost of assembling cars, which is very important, given the gradually increasing competition in the segment of low-cost cars.
In particular, the brand Livan, owned Geely, is going to start supplying cheap models in Russia from 2023. This decision will hit Moskvich’s positions even harder. Therefore, the Moscow Automobile Plant should start developing low-cost cars right now.
It is not yet known in what form the new Moskvich-412 2023-2024 will appear. Given that the Soviet model of the same name was sold as a sedan, this model is likely to be released in a similar body. To improve its position in the Russian market, the Moscow Automobile Plant will have to create a car that will become a competitor Lada Granta or VestaIt is possible that the future “Moskvich-412” will take an intermediate position between these models.
At least part of the equipment for the Russian novelty will also be borrowed from JAC products. But some components will be produced at domestic factories. This is also due to the need to increase the localization of car assembly, as previously stated by representatives of the Moscow Automobile Plant.
The timing of the release of the new “Moskvich-412” is also unknown. It will take at least 2-3 years to develop it, even with the active participation of JAC engineers.
The designers seem to be focused on aesthetics and totally out of touch with reality! It’s sheer folly to try to push cars with turbochargers and CVT transmissions on unsuspecting customers. The backlash will be formidable as the cars expire long before they should, and buyers will be stuck with expensive repair bills. Russian car builders should stop thinking like gay Americans! Russian consumers deserve better.