Overview

• Russia’s industry ministry released a preliminary list of more than 20 vehicles from six domestic brands — Lada, UAZ, Sollers, Evolute, Voyah and Moskvich — covering internal combustion, hybrid and electric models.
• The localization law takes effect on March 1, 2026, and will apply only to cars added to regional taxi registries after that date, with existing registered vehicles allowed to keep operating.
• An expert clarified that noncompliant cars already in registries, including foreign makes, can remain in service for their normal life cycles, as the new rules govern future fleet additions.
• Eligibility requires either meeting government localization point thresholds or production under a special investment contract signed between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2025, with the ministry saying the list will be updated as localization progresses.
• Industry representatives urged expanding the list to include models such as Haval, Solaris and Tenet and warned that limited affordable options and high financing costs could constrain fleet renewal, even as some regions have deferrals to 2028 or 2030.