Renault Russia
A former Renault-controlled Russian automotive company that assembled Renault vehicles in Moscow before its assets were transferred to the Moscow city government in 2022.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Renault Russia was a Russian automotive company established in 1998 as a joint venture between Renault and the Moscow city government. Originally named Avtoframos, it was created around the former Moskvitch manufacturing facility in Moscow and became an important production base for Renault-branded vehicles in the Russian market. Vehicle assembly began in April 1999, initially using the existing industrial site and later expanding its capacity as Renault increased its ownership. The company’s ownership changed progressively during the 2000s. Renault acquired 26% of the Moscow government’s stake in 2004 and increased its participation to 94.1% in 2006. At the end of 2012, Renault acquired the remaining interest, making Avtoframos a wholly owned Renault subsidiary. This ownership structure allowed Renault to control manufacturing, model introduction, and localization in Russia while maintaining a significant local industrial presence. Avtoframos initially produced the Renault Symbol, a sedan derivative of the Clio, between 2002 and 2004. From 2005, the Moscow plant assembled the Renault Logan, a model that became particularly important to Renault’s Russian strategy because of its relatively accessible pricing and suitability for localized production. The Renault Sandero hatchback followed in 2009, and the Renault Duster sport utility vehicle entered production in 2011. The company also produced or assembled models including the Mégane and Fluence. By 2010, the plant’s annual capacity had been expanded to approximately 160,000 vehicles, and reported production reached 195,112 vehicles in 2013. In July 2014, Avtoframos was renamed Renault Russia. The change was intended to associate the subsidiary more directly with Renault-badged vehicles manufactured in Russia and with the wider Renault brand. Its market positioning centered on locally produced passenger cars and sport utility vehicles, particularly the Logan, Sandero, Duster, and Kaptur lines. The company operated within Renault’s broader Russian industrial and commercial structure, which also included Renault’s relationship with AvtoVAZ. Renault Russia’s operations were suspended in March 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and amid international political and commercial pressure on companies operating in the country. In May 2022, Renault agreed to sell the company and its Russian assets to the Moscow city government. The city government announced plans to use the former Renault facility to revive production under the Moskvitch name. As a result, Renault Russia ceased to exist as a Renault-controlled operating company and is treated as defunct.
History
Renault Russia originated in a 1998 agreement between Renault and the Moscow city government. The agreement was signed by Renault and Valery Shantsev, then a deputy mayor of Moscow, and provided for a joint automotive venture based at the former OAO Moskvitch facility. Renault and the city initially held equal ownership interests. Assembly began in April 1999, establishing a Renault production presence in Moscow and creating a foundation for the localization of Renault vehicles in Russia. The plant expanded its output during the following decade. From late 2002 through 2004, it assembled the Renault Symbol, a three-box sedan related to the Renault Clio. In 2004, Renault acquired 26% of the Moscow government’s share in the venture. Renault then increased its holding to 94.1% in 2006, giving it effective control over the company. The plant began assembling the Renault Logan in 2005. Logan became a central model for the Russian operation, and reported production reached 69,000 vehicles in 2007 and 73,000 in 2008. Renault broadened the Moscow plant’s product range as the company developed into a major local manufacturing base. The Renault Sandero hatchback entered production in 2009, followed by the Renault Duster SUV in 2011. In 2010, the plant’s capacity was doubled to 160,000 vehicles annually. At the end of 2012, Renault purchased the remaining stake held by the Moscow city government, converting the company into a wholly owned Renault subsidiary. The Russian operation also produced or assembled vehicles such as the Mégane and Fluence. In 2013, reported output was 195,112 vehicles, including the Duster, Mégane, Fluence, Logan, and Sandero. In July 2014, Avtoframos adopted the name Renault Russia. The rebranding made the subsidiary’s corporate identity more directly consistent with the Renault name used on vehicles manufactured in Russia. During this period, its principal role was to manufacture and market Renault-branded passenger vehicles for the Russian market, with an emphasis on accessible sedans, hatchbacks, and SUVs. Renault’s wider Russian presence also included a majority relationship with AvtoVAZ, although AvtoVAZ was a separate company from Renault Russia. The company’s history ended amid the geopolitical and economic consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Renault suspended Renault Russia’s operations in March 2022. In May of that year, Renault announced an agreement to sell the company and its Russian assets back to the Moscow city government. Moscow stated that the former Renault facility would be used to restart production under the Moskvitch name. The transaction removed Renault Russia from Renault’s corporate operating structure, and the company is regarded as defunct from May 2022.
- 2022
Renault exits the Russian operation
[1]Operations were suspended in March, and Renault agreed in May to transfer the company and its Russian assets to the Moscow city government.
- 2014
Avtoframos becomes Renault Russia
[1]The subsidiary changed its name to Renault Russia to more clearly connect its corporate identity with Renault-badged vehicles produced in the country.
- 2012
Renault makes the company wholly owned
[1]At the end of the year, Renault purchased the remaining stake held by the Moscow city government.
- 2011
Renault Duster production begins
[1]The Renault Duster SUV was added to the Moscow plant’s production program.
- 2010
Plant capacity is expanded
[1]The plant’s annual production capacity was doubled to approximately 160,000 vehicles.
- 2009
Renault Sandero enters production
[1]The Moscow facility added assembly of the Renault Sandero hatchback.
- 2006
Renault obtains effective control
[1]Renault increased its participation in Avtoframos to 94.1%.
- 2005
Renault Logan assembly begins
[1]The Moscow plant began assembling the Renault Logan, which became one of the operation’s most important locally produced models.
- 2004
Renault increases its ownership
[1]Renault purchased 26% of the Moscow government’s share in the partnership.
- 1999
Vehicle assembly begins in Moscow
[1]The company started assembling vehicles in April, establishing the Moscow site as a Renault production location.
Products and positioning
A locally manufacturing Renault operation focused on affordable and mid-market passenger vehicles, compact cars, and SUVs for the Russian market.
Compact sedan · 2002
Renault Symbol
The Renault Symbol, a three-box sedan derived from the Renault Clio, was the first Renault-branded model assembled at the Moscow facility. Production ran from the end of 2002 through 2004, preceding the plant’s shift toward higher-volume locally produced models such as the Logan.
Compact sedan · 2005
Renault Logan
Introduced to the Moscow production program in 2005, the Renault Logan became a core product of Renault Russia. Its combination of simple engineering, sedan practicality, and accessible positioning made it suitable for localized production and for Renault’s expansion in the Russian mass-market passenger-car segment.
Hatchback · 2009
Renault Sandero
The Renault Sandero hatchback entered production at the Moscow plant in 2009. It extended Renault Russia’s localized range beyond the Logan sedan and addressed demand for a compact, practical hatchback built on the same broad low-cost vehicle strategy.
Sport utility vehicle · 2011
Renault Duster
The Renault Duster SUV joined the production lineup in 2011 and became one of Renault Russia’s principal locally assembled vehicles. Its SUV format broadened the company’s offering beyond conventional compact cars and supported Renault’s positioning in a growing Russian utility-vehicle segment.
Passenger car
Renault Mégane
The Renault Mégane was among the vehicles produced by Renault Russia during the period when the Moscow operation had developed into a broader Renault manufacturing base. It formed part of the company’s locally assembled passenger-car portfolio alongside the Logan, Sandero, Duster, and Fluence.
Compact sedan
Renault Fluence
The Renault Fluence was included in Renault Russia’s reported 2013 production mix. Its presence reflected the plant’s ability to assemble vehicles above the entry-level Logan segment and to offer a broader Renault-branded sedan range in Russia.
Brand decisions
2022
Suspension and divestment of the Russian businessStrategyBackground
The invasion of Ukraine and ensuing international pressure created political, operational, and commercial difficulties for Renault’s Russian activities.
Action taken
Renault suspended Renault Russia’s operations in March and agreed in May to sell the company and its assets to the Moscow city government.
Aftermath
Renault Russia became defunct as a Renault-controlled company. Moscow planned to use the former facility to restart production under the Moskvitch brand.
2014
Corporate renaming to Renault RussiaStrategyBackground
The Avtoframos name did not directly reflect the Renault identity used on vehicles manufactured and sold in Russia.
Action taken
Renault renamed the subsidiary Renault Russia.
Aftermath
The new name aligned the corporate entity more closely with Renault-branded local production.
2012
Renault acquires the remaining stakeM&ABackground
Renault had already become the controlling shareholder of Avtoframos and moved to complete its ownership of the Russian subsidiary.
Action taken
At the end of 2012, Renault purchased the remaining stake held by the Moscow city government.
Aftermath
Avtoframos became a wholly owned Renault subsidiary.
2006
Renault raises its holding to 94.1%M&ABackground
After acquiring part of the city government’s stake in 2004, Renault continued consolidating ownership of Avtoframos.
Action taken
Renault increased its participation to 94.1%.
Aftermath
Renault obtained effective control over the company and its Moscow manufacturing operation.
2004
Renault purchases part of Moscow’s stakeM&ABackground
Renault and the Moscow city government had originally owned the Avtoframos joint venture equally. Renault sought greater control over the Russian manufacturing operation.
Action taken
Renault acquired 26% of the Moscow government’s interest.
Aftermath
The transaction began the transition from a jointly owned venture to a Renault-controlled subsidiary.
Sources1 sources
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