Cars Aurus is not just transport, but a symbol of the Russian automobile industry, combining luxury, safety and innovative technologies. Since its debut in 2018, the brand has attracted the attention of both domestic buyers and foreign experts. But where exactly are these cars born? How is the production process organized, and how does it differ from the assembly of foreign premium brands?
In this article we will analyze in detail all the factories involved in production Aurus, - from the main assembly line to the enterprises supplying critical components. You will learn about technological features, quality control and even how each bolt is checked before sending the machine to the customer. We will also answer popular questions: why Aurus are not assembled abroad, what is the situation with the localization of parts and what awaits the brand in the future.
1. Main Aurus plant: where sedans and limousines are assembled
Main production plant NAMI (National Automotive Institute) located in Moscow, at the address: st. Avtomotornaya, 2. This is where the flagship models come off the assembly line - Aurus Senat (sedan), Aurus Arsenal (SUV) and extended limousines for official events. The plant was completely modernized by 2020 to meet the standards of the premium automotive industry.
The production area occupies more than 20,000 m², and the degree of automation reaches 70% - this is one of the highest indicators among Russian car factories. Robotic manipulators from KUKA (Germany) for body welding and laser geometry control systems. Interestingly, some of the equipment was specially adapted to unique requirements Aurus, for example, for processing armored panels.
- 📍 Address: Moscow, st. Avtomotornaya, 2 (NAMI territory)
- 🏭 Area: 20,000 m² (assembly workshops + testing laboratories)
- 🤖 Automation: 70% (KUKA, ABB robots, laser scanners)
- 🚗 Models: Senat, Arsenal, limousines for protocol events
If you are planning to visit the NAMI plant, please note: excursions are only available by appointment for groups of 10 people or more. Private tours available for owners Aurus or brand partners.
The peculiarity of the Moscow plant is full cycle of body productionincluding stamping, welding and painting. For comparison: many foreign premium brands order bodies from third-party suppliers. NAMI has the same body Aurus Senat going from 400+ parts, with 80% of them produced locally. This allows for strict quality control and avoids logistics problems.
2. Engine production: who supplies the “heart” of Aurus
Engines for Aurus were developed taking into account two key requirements: reliability and compliance with Euro 6 standards. The main supplier of power units is Plant named after Likhachev (ZiL), also located in Moscow. They collect here 4.4 liter petrol V8 power 600 hp (in version for Senat L700) and its modifications.
Interesting fact: the cylinder block for this engine is cast on Ural Transport Engineering Plant (UZTM) in Yekaterinburg, and final assembly and testing take place at ZIL. Each engine goes through 5-hour bench test under load, where all operating modes are checked - from idle to maximum speed.
| Engine model | Volume / Power | Manufacturing plant | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nami V8 4.4T | 4.4 l / 600 hp | ZIL (Moscow) | Twin-turbo, aluminum block, cylinder deactivation system |
| Nami V8 4.4T (armored version) | 4.4 l / 550 hp | ZIL (Moscow) | Enhanced protection, modified cooling system |
| Hybrid installation | 4.4 l + electric motor / 800+ hp | NAMI (Moscow) | In development, testing on prototypes Arsenal |
In addition to ZIL, the production chain involves:
- 🔧 UZTM (Ekaterinburg) — casting of cylinder blocks and crankshafts.
- ⚙️ "AvtoVAZ"-Volga region (Tolyatti) — supply of individual components of the injection system.
- 🔋 "Liotech" (Novosibirsk) — production of batteries for hybrid versions.
3. Assembly of armored versions: where are the “presidential” Aurus made?
Armored modifications Aurus Senat (index L700B) and Arsenal They are assembled on a separate line of the same NAMI plant, but with enhanced safety measures. These machines comply with the protection class BR6+ (according to Russian classification) or VPAM 10 (according to European standards), which allows it to withstand fire from a Kalashnikov assault rifle and grenade explosions.
Key stages of production of armored versions:
- Body reinforcement: a layer of aramid fiber and ceramic plates is applied to a conventional frame.
- Glass reservation: laminated glass up to thickness 50 mm (the weight of one door is more than 100 kg!).
- Testing: Each armored car is fired at in a special NAMI training ground.
What is protection class BR6+?
This is a Russian armor standard, equivalent to the European VPAM 10. A vehicle with this class is protected from 7.62 mm bullets (including armor-piercing bullets), grenade fragments and explosive devices with a power of up to 2 kg of TNT. For comparison: BR6+ armor weighs 1.5–2 tons more than the civilian version Aurus.
Cost of armored version Senat L700B starts from 180 million rubles (for 2026), and the production time for one car takes up to 6 months due to manual assembly and multi-step inspections. Orders for such machines come not only from government agencies, but also from private individuals - businessmen and politicians from the countries of the Middle East and Africa.
⚠️ Attention: When purchasing an armored Aurus check the certificate of conformity to the BR6+/VPAM 10 standard. There are “homemade” modifications on the market that do not provide the declared protection.
4. Localization of components: how “Russian” is Aurus?
One of the key questions that concerns buyers is degree of localization Aurus. According to NAMI, by 2026 the share of domestic components will reach 75–80% for civilian versions and 90%+ for armored vehicles. For comparison: many foreign brands assembled in Russia (for example, Toyota Camry or Kia Sportage), this figure rarely exceeds 50%.
Let's figure out which parts are produced in Russia and which are imported:
| Category | Localization (%) | Russian suppliers | Imported components |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body and chassis | 95% | NAMI (Moscow), Severstal (Cherepovets) | Separate fasteners (Germany) |
| Engine and transmission | 85% | ZIL (Moscow), UZTM (Ekaterinburg) | Turbochargers (Garrett, USA) |
| Electronics and multimedia | 60% | "Rostec" (Moscow), "Mikron" (Zelenograd) | Processors for security systems (NXP, Netherlands) |
| Interior (leather, wood, fabrics) | 70% | “Leather goods” (Kaluga), “Wood materials” (St. Petersburg) | Premium genuine leather (Italy) |
The most “import-dependent” elements are electronics (especially chips for active safety systems) and some interior materials (for example, leather from Italian suppliers). However, NAMI is actively working to replace foreign components: for example, in 2023, the transition to domestic turbochargers developed jointly with ODK-Saturn.
High localization (75–90%) allows Aurus avoid problems with sanctions and ensure stability of supplies. This is a key advantage over foreign brands that rely on imports.
5. Quality control: how every Aurus is checked before sale
The quality control process at the NAMI plant includes 12 required steps, from checking welds to test driving at the test site. Here are the key ones:
- 🔍 Laser scanning of the body — checking geometry with an accuracy of 0.1 mm.
- 💧 Leak test — the car is placed in a chamber with rain and dust.
- 🔊 Acoustic diagnostics — search for extraneous noise in the cabin.
- 🛣️ Testing at the site — 50 km on different surfaces (including off-road for Arsenal).
Particular attention is paid armored vehicles: they are fired at from a Kalashnikov assault rifle at a special training ground in the Moscow region Shchelkovo. Each machine must withstand at least 30 hits to critical areas (doors, windows, roof). Only after this the car receives a certificate and is sent to the customer.
Interesting fact: NAMI works at the plant post-sales monitoring department. During the first year of operation, owners Aurus can make any complaint - even if it is a subjective inconvenience (for example, squeaking plastic). Specialists go to the site, analyze the problem and make changes to the production process.
⚠️ Attention: Upon purchase Aurus with mileage be sure to request factory test report. It lists all the tests that the vehicle has passed, including the results of shelling (for armored versions). The absence of this document is a reason to doubt the authenticity of the car.
6. Why Aurus is not assembled abroad: myths and reality
Many people wonder why Aurus, positioning itself as a global brand, does not open factories in Europe or Asia? There are several reasons, and they are related to both economics and politics:
- Sanctions risks. After 2022, many foreign partners refused to cooperate with Russian companies. It is almost impossible to build a plant in the EU or the USA today.
- Logistics. Transporting armored vehicles (weighing up to 5 tons) across the border requires special permits and increases the cost by 30–40%.
- Quality control. NAMI believes that only Russian specialists can provide the required level of assembly, especially for armored versions.
- Government orders. Main Buyers Aurus - government agencies that care about 100% localization and production secrecy.
However, the brand has plans to expand geographically. In 2026, negotiations began on the assembly Aurus Arsenal in UAE (for Middle East markets) and Kazakhstan (for EAEU countries). However, we are only talking about twisting from Russian machine kits (SKD), and not about full-fledged production.
☑️ How to check that your Aurus was assembled in Russia and not abroad
7. The future of Aurus production: what awaits the brand?
For 2026–2026, Aurus ambitious plans to expand the model range and production capacity. Here are the key areas of development:
- 🚙 New models:
- Aurus Komendant - pickup on base Arsenal (launch in 2026).
- Aurus Senat Electric — an electric car with a power reserve of 600 km (prototype presented in 2023).
- 🏗️ New factories:
- Construction of a second production workshop in Kaluga region (capacity - 5,000 cars per year).
- Localization of production in UAE (planned for 2026).
- 🔋 Technologies:
- Transition to domestic microprocessors for security systems.
- Introduction of hydrogen fuel cells (together with Rosatom).
It is expected that by 2030 annual production Aurus will reach 20,000 cars (today - about 1,500). To achieve this, it is planned to attract private investors and expand the dealer network abroad. However, the main bet is still placed on government orders and the premium segment of the market.
Experts note that Aurus has every chance of becoming the first Russian brand to compete with Mercedes-Maybach and Rolls-Royce at the global level. But for this it is necessary to solve two key problems: increase exports (today it accounts for less than 10% of sales) and reduce the price for private buyers (now Senat costs from 12 million rubles, which is comparable to Mercedes S-Class).
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Aurus production
🔹 Is it possible to visit the NAMI plant and see the Aurus assembly?
Yes, but only by appointment. Tours are available for groups of 10 or more people or owners Aurus. Individual tours are possible for brand partners. The application can be submitted through the official website Aurus Motors.
🔹 Why is Aurus so expensive if it is assembled in Russia?
The high price is due to several factors:
- Manual assembly — many operations (for example, leather upholstery) are performed manually.
- Booking — even in civilian versions a reinforced body is used.
- Localization — many components are produced in small batches, which increases costs.
- Taxes — Aurus refers to luxury cars, and is therefore subject to increased excise taxes.
For comparison: Mercedes S-Class in the maximum configuration it also costs about 12–15 million rubles.
🔹Where are spare parts for Aurus produced?
Main suppliers of spare parts:
- NAMI (Moscow) — body parts, suspension elements.
- ZIL (Moscow) - engines, transmission.
- "Autocomponent" (Tolyatti) - electronics, sensors.
- "Irkut Corporation" (Irkutsk) — armor elements.
Spare parts for Aurus sold only through official dealers. The average delivery time is 2–4 weeks (for armored parts - up to 3 months).
🔹 Is it true that Aurus is assembled from foreign parts?
No, it's a myth. The share of imported components does not exceed 20–25% (mainly electronics and some interior materials). The body, engine, chassis and armor are manufactured in Russia. Moreover, from 2023, the replacement of foreign components with domestic analogues began (for example, turbochargers from ODK-Saturn).
🔹 Is it possible to order Aurus with a unique package?
Yes, NAMI offers a program «Aurus Atelier», where the buyer can choose:
- Body color (including custom shades).
- Interior materials (leather, wood, metal).
- Additional armor (even for civilian versions).
- Unique options (for example, a bar in the trunk or a “presidential communication” system).
The cost of such a machine may exceed 20–25 million rubles, and the production time is up to 8 months.