Russia announced prices for new 'Volgas'. Should we expect them in Belarus and what kind of cars are they anyway?

Screenshot: volga.auto

From discussions to results in 4 years

Plans to revive the production of cars under the 'Volga' brand in Russia were first seriously discussed in the summer of 2022, after global car manufacturers began leaving Russia in response to the military aggression against Ukraine.

The 'new' Volga cars were presented in May 2024. Then, in Nizhny Novgorod, three new cars were shown at once: the Volga C40 sedan and two crossovers — the Volga K30 and Volga K40.

Павялічыць

Volga cars that never went into production. Photo: Maxim Stuliv / Vedomosti

In fact, these were three cars of the Chinese brand Changan, only with 'Volga' radiator grilles and badges. However, the collaboration with Changan never materialized, and the production of Chinese cars under the Russian brand never began.

As a result, the Russians found a new partner, which turned out to be the Geely concern. Recently, 'Volga' announced prices for its cars and revealed that sales would begin in June.

Chinese-Russian cars will be assembled at the former VW concern's plants in Nizhny Novgorod, where VW and Škoda were produced before the war.

What kind of models?

At least at the start, 'Volga' will have three models: two crossovers and one sedan. Russian 'Volgas' will differ from Chinese Geelys in bumper, radiator grille, and optics.

As for crossovers, they are well-known to Belarusians. The cheapest Volga K40 is a Geely Atlas.

Павялічыць

Volga K40 and Geely Atlas. Screenshots: volga.auto, geely.by

Prices for Chinese cars of Russian assembly will start from 2.75 million Russian rubles, which is about 38,530 dollars at the current exchange rate.

Here, prices for the same crossover, but of Belarusian assembly, start from 92,900 rubles, which is about 32,400 dollars at the current exchange rate.

The second, more expensive, crossover Volga K50 is a Geely Monjaro. Prices for it in Russia will start from 4.2 million Russian rubles (almost 59 thousand dollars).

Павялічыць

Volga K50 (Geely Monjaro). Screenshot: volga.auto

Geely Monjaro of Belarusian assembly is sold here at prices starting from 115,900 rubles, which is about 40,400 dollars.

It should be noted that despite being in a single customs area, a noticeable difference in prices for similar locally assembled cars in Belarus and Russia is an expected phenomenon, as each country has separate recycling fees. Even the originally Russian Lada costs less in Belarus than in Russia itself.

However, by law, Russian citizens cannot purchase new cars in Belarus. More precisely, they can, but they will be forced to pay extra money to the Russian budget, so there is no point in doing so.

As for the 'Volga' sedan, the Volga C50 model is a Geely Preface. Initial prices for them are 2.9 million Russian rubles (about 40,600 dollars). Comparing with the price of similar cars in Belarus is more difficult, as an analog of this car is not assembled in Belarus and is not officially imported into the country.

Павялічыць

Screenshot: volga.auto

Meanwhile, a 2025 car with 8500 km mileage is sold in Minsk for 28 thousand dollars.

Should we expect 'Volgas' on Belarusian roads?

As for crossovers, the answer is unequivocal — no, because Belarus has its own assembled Geely Atlas and Monjaro, so Chinese-Russian crossovers, if they appear on our roads at all, will be as guests from the East.

But the appearance of the Volga C50 sedan for sale in Belarus is also unlikely, just as 'Moskvich' cars did not appear in Belarus.

Earlier, Russia 'revived' the 'Moskvich' brand using a similar scheme, which is now assembled at the facilities of the former Renault plant in Moscow. As with 'Volga', only the name there is Russian.

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