Russian JV Delays Hybrid Launch at Least Two Years

VIENNA – Yo-Avto, the Russian joint venture owned by billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov’s Onexim Group and by Yarovit Motors, postpones the production launch of its hybrid-electric vehicles.

Yo-Avto broke ground on a new factory in St. Petersburg in June 2011. Plans originally called for pilot production to begin in late 2012, with the first cars to be made in April 2013.

The Yo Crossover was to be the first to enter volume production.

Plans now call for output to start in late 2014 or early 2015, Yo-Avto Managing Director Andrei Biryukov, who is leaving the JV but will remain involved in the project as an investor, tells Russian media.

Yo-Avto earlier ramped up major public-relations activity in Russia and exhibited its cars, including a futuristic concept, at the Frankfurt auto show in September 2011. Vehicles shown in Frankfurt were presented later in various Russian cities, attracting widespread public attention.

Yet, there has been little talk about Yo-Avto in recent months. Various statements have attributed the delay to problems with the U.S. company contracted to work with the JV to develop the body. But the latest announcement adds to the doubts of critics who see Yo-Avto as just a project to support Prokhorov's political ambitions.

“Over the course of next year, we plan to start the certification of our innovative product,” new Managing Director Andrei Ginzburg, Yo-Avto's former chief designer, says in a prepared statement. “In the second quarter (of 2013), we will launch first pre-series prototypes for tests.”