FAW Bestune NAT electric vehicle assembly project was suspended in Russia

Alfa Tech company suspended the project for the production of electric vehicles under Alfarus brand in the city of Engels, Saratov Region, due to difficulties with logistics and financing. This was announced by the governor of the Saratov region Roman Busargin, by adding that the regional authorities are still in touch with the investor and are ready to fulfill their obligations to support the project if it is implemented. Recall that Alfa Tech, in cooperation with the Chinese automaker FAW Group, planned to start production of FAW Bestune NAT electric compact vans under Alfarus brand in the city of Engels, Saratov Region, in the third quarter of this year.

In 2023, it was planned to produce up to 2,000 electric vehicles specifically for taxis and car sharing. In December 2022, the government of Saratov region and Alfa Tech signed an agreement to organize the assembly of electric vehicles, the production of batteries and charging stations at the site in Engels. The project partner was the Chinese automaker FAW. The investor intended to create up to 270 jobs.

The planned volume of investments in the first stage of the project was estimated at 5 billion rubles. In subsequent years, production was planned to be localized in stages, which should have been facilitated by the experience of the region, where there are already enterprises for the production of batteries.