Plans are underway to establish the development and production of drones in the special economic zone (SEZ) "Saint Petersburg" in Shushary, said Aleksei Zyryanov, head of the Committee on Economic Policy of the Saint Petersburg government. It is clarified that the Toyota factory was previously located there.
According to Zyryanov, the Saint Petersburg authorities are working on creating a cluster for the production of drones. A scientific production center will be established in this area.
All industries that service this area will be located in the special economic zone
In addition, the city government intends to expand the boundaries of the SEZ, adding a plot of about 160 hectares. According to the CEO of (SEZ) "Saint Petersburg" Tamara Rondaleva, the construction of new infrastructure at the former Toyota site will begin in 2025. The amount of investment will amount to 15.4 billion rubles. About 40 residents will be located here, which will create more than 5 thousand new jobs.
Toyota, like other major foreign companies, left the Russian market due to sanctions, giving way to other car brands. In May 2023, it was reported that it was planned to produce electric cars L-type at the former Toyota factory in Saint Petersburg. This was reported by the head of JSC "Obukhov Factory". The estimated production volume in Shushary is up to 14 thousand electric cars a year.