AvtoVAZ plans to start designing individual elements of cars in its own design and technological systems by the end of 2026. This was announced to journalists on April 3 by the head of the company, Maxim Sokolov. It is about the transition of the Togliatti enterprise from foreign engineering software — computer-aided design and product lifecycle management systems — to domestic developments. So far, this is an intention, not a completed fact: Sokolov outlined the horizon until the end of the year, without naming specific systems and suppliers. The Governor of the Samara Region, Vyacheslav Fedorishchev, who visited the plant, described AvtoVAZ as one of the most digitalized large-scale productions in the country.
What does the transition to own design systems mean?
Until 2022, AvtoVAZ, like most Russian automakers, used Western engineering software — primarily solutions from the French group Renault, which included the plant in an alliance. After the departure of foreign partners, the company faced the task of replacing not only components, but also the digital design infrastructure.
By the end of the year, we will already be able to design individual elements of our cars in our own design and technological systems, which, of course, will provide the next level of technological independence and sovereignty of our automotive industry
The word "individual" in Sokolov's formulation is fundamental: the complete transfer of the entire design cycle is a task for many years. We are talking about the first nodes that will go through the engineering cycle without foreign tools. Specific systems and suppliers have not been officially named.
The Russian market of engineering software after 2022 is actively occupied by domestic developers — primarily ASCON with the KOMPAS-3D system and Top Systems with T-FLEX CAD. Both products are present in the register of domestic software of the Ministry of Digital Development and claim to replace Catia and NX in heavy engineering.
Read more materials on the topic:
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- The Ministry of Industry and Trade is preparing a new norm: they want to transfer domestic cars to the Russian OS
