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Avtotor () is an automobile manufacturing company located in Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia. Avtotor was established in 1996. By 2008, it was one of the largest producers and assemblers of cars in the world. Industry publication Automotive Manufacturing Solutions estimates the company's revenue for 2011 at 4 billion euros and total employees at 3,500, although credit rating agency Expert estimated total revenue in 2017 at $689 million. In 2022, the company's revenue amounted to 9.5 billion rubles. In May 2022, due to international sanctions imposed in response to the Russo-Ukrainian War, the plant stopped production and went into downtime.
With an investment of $130,000,000, an assembly plant was installed in an unoccupied shipyard in Kaliningrad, with an original plan to produce Nissan automobiles. The name of the company is a portmanteau of "auto" and the German language word "tor", meaning "gate". In 1997, the new plant also began assembling Kia Motors automobiles.
In the aftermath of the 1998 Russian financial crisis and the ensuing drop in automobile sales, the company found itself in a difficult financial position. To mitigate the consequences of the crisis, the company changed its business model. The company secured a contract with BMW to become a licensed importer for the German automaker. Later, the company began a partnership with General Motors, starting full-scale assembly on the Chevrolet Lacetti.
Among the models produced at Kaliningrad are JMC Trucks
In February 2024, Avtotor started production on the JMEV Yi.
In July 2009, Avtotor increased the capacity of the plant and began production of the crossovers BMW X5 and X6. At the end of May 2010, the company announced the start of assembly on the new BMW 5 Series (F10) for the Russian market from kits received from Germany.
The BMW line-up produced in Kaliningrad has expanded over time with the following models: E65/66 (7 Series), F01/F02 (7 Series), E90 (3 Series), E70 (X5), E71 (X6), E83 (X3) and E84 (X1).
In May 2015, BMW released a statement postponing the decision to invest in another plant in Russia due to economic uncertainty in the country. There have been rumors in the media about the quality of Russian made BMWs. These vehicles also did not have factory and manufacturer warranties, unlike their German-made counterparts.
In the first six months of 2007, 18,558 vehicles were sold (of which Chery Amulet - 10,119, Chery Tiggo - 4,986, Chery Fora - 2,596, QQ - 825, Oriental Son - 32), allowing Chery to take 12th place in the overall ranking in terms of sales in Russia. In 2007, in Russia, it sold 37,120 Chery cars. The factory produced 40,000 Chery cars that same year from semi-knocked-down kits.
In March 2008, Avtotor stopped assembling cars for Chery. The main cause being the fear that the government would deprive the factory of its privileges enjoyed under the Special Economic Zone, such as duty-free import of components.
In August 2004, the Kaliningrad plant started production of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer and Chevrolet Tahoe, and in October 2004, of the Hummer H2.
In July 2005, the Cadillac CTS, Cadillac SRX and Cadillac STS joined them.
On 21 November 2008, production of the Chevrolet Lacetti began in full cycle, including welding and painting. This investment in the organization of the production on the part of GM in Avtotor amounted to 80 million euros.
The other models produced at the Kaliningrad plant included the Cadillac Escalade, the Chevrolet Aveo, Chevrolet Epica, Chevrolet Malibu, Orlando, Captiva, and the Opel Astra, Opel Zafira, Opel Meriva, Opel Insignia, Opel Mokka, and Opel Antara.
Since the existence of the project, Avtotor has produced over 362,000 cars for GM's brands. General Motors discontinued its partnership with Avtotor in 2015, citing poor economic outlook in the country.
Among the models produced at the Avtotor plant are the Clarus, Rocsta, Avella, Besta, Pregio, Carnival I, Carnival II, Carnival IV, Rio I, Rio II, Opirus I, Opirus II, Magentis I, Magentis II, Carens I, Carens II, Sportage I, Sportage II, Sportage III, Ceed, Soul, and Mohave.12
In February 2016, Avtotor started production on the Kia Optima.
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