Renault plant in Moscow reaches designed production capacity
MOSCOW. Oct 27 (Interfax) - The Renault group increased the production of automobiles at its plant in Moscow, OJSC Avtoframos, by 72.2% in January-September to 98,778 vehicles, and has already reached full production capacity of 160,000 machines per year, the French automaker reported.
Renault's plant in Russia produced 661 automobiles in one day for the first time on October 25. This means the company has reached a set goal and moved to full production capacity of 30 automobiles per hour, which corresponds to 160,000 automobiles per day, a company statement says.
Renault announced plans to double Avtoframos' capacity in March of last year. Work to expand production was done without the existing conveyor having to be shut down. Overall investment in this doubling project amounted to more than EUR 150 million.
The plant currently builds four models: the Logan, Sandero, Megane, and Fluence, the latter two since June of this year. Preparations continue to get the Duster into production early next year.
Avtoframos increased output 70% to 87,265 automobiles last year, up from 51,394 vehicles the year before. It may end this year having produced almost 131,000.
The plant moved to a three-shift work schedule back in November. Renault figures to capture 8% of the Russian automobile market by 2015, and together with partners Nissan and AvtoVAZ - 40%.