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Russian truck manufacturer JSC Romanov plans to ramp up BAZ production to six vehicles per day
JSC Romanov plans to increase BAZ truck production from two to six vehicles per day at its St. Petersburg facility through expanded operations and shift scheduling. The domestically-designed trucks are intended to replace Western heavy-duty truck imports and are engineered for harsh climates and off-road conditions.
Quick Facts
Who
JSC Romanov
What
Increase BAZ truck production capacity
When
May 28, 2026
Where
St. Petersburg
- Increase BAZ truck production capacity
- Announce expansion strategy at COMvex 2026
- Initiate serial production of BAZ trucks
- Scale production from 2 to 3 to 6 vehicles per day
- JSC Romanov
JSC Romanov, a Russian truck manufacturer based in St. Petersburg, has announced plans to significantly increase production of its domestically-designed BAZ trucks. The company's CEO Dmitry Grechukhin revealed the expansion strategy at the COMvex 2026 international exhibition in Moscow, stating that production will scale from the current two vehicles per day to three, and eventually to six vehicles daily with the introduction of a second shift.
The BAZ truck series represents an entirely Russian design intended to compete with and substitute for heavy-duty vehicles produced by Europe's leading manufacturers, collectively known as the Big Seven: Mercedes, Volvo, Scania, Man, Daf, Iveco, and Renault Trucks. The vehicles are specifically engineered for off-road and harsh weather conditions, with applications in remote locations such as gas fields.
JSC Romanov, part of JSC Almaz-Antey Air and Space Defense Corporation, initiated serial BAZ truck production at its St. Petersburg facility in late 2025. The facility previously produced Scania and Man models. The company has set an ambitious target of producing at least 600 vehicles in 2026, with the St. Petersburg plant's ultimate production capacity projected to reach 2,000 vehicles annually.
The expansion demonstrates Russia's effort to develop domestic alternatives to Western commercial vehicle manufacturers. COMvex 2026, held from May 26-29 at Crocus Expo in Moscow, serves as Russia and Eastern Europe's leading trade fair for commercial vehicles and technology, attracting top industry leaders showcasing innovations in trucks, light commercial vehicles, buses, trailers, and components.
Topics
Why This Matters
This production expansion reflects Russia's strategic push toward automotive independence amid Western sanctions and supply chain disruptions. For logistics operators and energy companies—particularly those in remote regions like Arctic gas fields—the availability of domestically-engineered heavy-duty vehicles reduces import dependency and supply risk. The ambition to reach 2,000 annual vehicles signals a structural shift in Russia's commercial vehicle sector, potentially reshaping procurement patterns across Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Timeline & Sources
May 26, 2026
WireCOMvex 2026 begins at Crocus Expo in Moscow
May 28, 2026
WireCEO Dmitry Grechukhin announces BAZ production expansion plans to three and six vehicles per day
May 29, 2026
WireCOMvex 2026 concludes