Domestic car manufacturer, AvtoVAZ, reveals vehicles we'll be riding in when foreign cars are banned from taxis. Pictures included.
Ride the Russian Wave: Lada Aura Leads the Import-Substitution Taxi Revolution at PMIEF-2025
Autovaz unveiled an import-substituted taxi model, the Lada Aura, at the 2025 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (PMIEF-2025), giving it a eye-catching yellow stripe and the iconic "shashka" accents. The vehicle, priced at 2.5 million rubles, is entirely fabricated with Russian components: the engine from Tolyatti, LED lighting from Dimytrovgrad, leather interior from Riazan, wheels from Kirov, and electronics from Moscow.
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Will Ladas Remain the Only Option? Breaking Down the New Domestic Vehicle Law for Taxi Fleets
In May 2025, the new law for domestic vehicles in taxi fleets was passed in the State Duma, set to take effect from March 2026. This law mandates that taxi drivers can only operate vehicles of domestic origin. The vehicles must score more than 3,200 points in localization. Currently, several Lada models (Granta, Vesta, Iskra, Aura), the "Moskvich-3" and "Moskvich-6", XCITE X-Cross 7 and X-Cross 8, Evolute i-PRO and i-JOY electric vehicles, and others meet or are in the process of meeting the localization requirements[2][3].
However, survey data in the Sverdlovsk region reveals that approximately 80% of drivers are not willing to switch vehicles to comply with the law. As the deadline of 2027 approaches, there may be a shortage of over 70,000 drivers in the region, suggesting a significant challenge in implementing the new rules [1].
- The new law for domestic vehicles in taxi fleets, effective from March 2026, requires taxi drivers to operate vehicles of domestic origin that score more than 3,200 points in localization.
- Several domestic models, including Lada Aura, Granta, Vesta, and Iskra, along with Moskvich-3, Moskvich-6, XCITE X-Cross 7 and X-Cross 8, Evolute i-PRO and i-JOY electric vehicles, are meeting or are in the process of meeting the localization requirements.
- Despite the new law, a survey in the Sverdlovsk region indicates that about 80% of drivers are unwilling to switch vehicles to comply with the mandate.
- As the deadline of 2027 approaches, the region may face a shortage of over 70,000 drivers, hinting at a significant challenge in implementing the new rules.
