31 March 2023

The Russian company that made President Vladimir Putin’s limousine has taken over Japanese car maker Toyota’s St. Petersburg plant, the Russian Trade and Industry Ministry announced...

The former Toyota production facilities have been transferred to the Central Scientific Research Automobile and Automotive Engine Institute (NAMI), a subsidiary of the ministry.

NAMI was responsible for producing the Aurus luxury sedan and limousine used by Putin during his 2018 inauguration, in partnership with the Russian carmaker Sollers.

“The agreement implies full transfer of ownership of the plant building, equipment and land,” the ministry said in a statement...

Neither the Russian ministry nor the Japanese carmaker disclosed the terms of the deal.

Russia’s Trade and Industry Ministry said it was looking at ways to resume production at the plant “as soon as possible”...

NAMI has previously taken over plants in Russia built by Renault and Nissan in the wake of an exodus of Western companies over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year...