Russia - Toyota RAV4 to be produced locally from 2016

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has announced that Toyota Motor Manufacturing Russia (TMMR), TMC’s car manufacturing division in St. Petersburg, Russia, will produce the RAV4 starting in 2016. The production volume of the factory will be expanded from 50,000 units at present to 100,000 units at an investment of 18 billion yen (1,127 crore rupees). 800 employees would be hired to produce the new model.

The RAV4 is a highly popular SUV and Toyota's best seller in Russia. Toyota has sold 27,000 units of the Camry-based model from January up until August this year and says that local production would help meet the high demand and shorten delivery times.

The RAV4 is currently offered with 2-liter, 2.2-liter and 2.5-liter engines, in 2WD and 4WD variants and in eight body colors. The car that is most likely to be produced would be a facelift.

Didier Leroy, president of Toyota Motor Europe NV/SA -

Since its launch in Russia in 2002, the RAV4 has been extremely well received by Russian consumers. We are committed to continuing our contribution to the development of the Russian automobile industry and providing products that satisfy consumers.

Toyota also manufactures the Camry in Russia and began assembling the Land Cruiser Prado through Sollers-Bussan JV at the their Vladivostok plant.