Russia begins production of Bentley, Rolls-Royce challenger promoted by Putin

MOSCOW -- Production began on Monday of the Aurus Senat luxury sedan promoted by President Vladimir Putin.

Russia unveiled plans for the Aurus line of cars in 2013. Putin helped to promote its limousine model by driving it during his 2018 inauguration as president for a new six-year term.

Production of the sedan is unlikely to have a significant impact on Russia's car industry in the near future. Industry Minister Denis Manturov said 200-300 cars would be produced this year, the Vedomosti newspaper reported.

The car, seen as a prestige project for the Kremlin, with its most basic available features will cost 18 million rubles ($245,000).

Russia has also been trying to reduce its dependence on imported goods and technology, a drive that gathered speed after Moscow was hit by Western sanctions in 2014.

Aurus is a new Russian company that hopes to challenge Bentley and Rolls-Royce at the very top end of the luxury vehicle market. The brand is owned by a Russian automotive research institute known by the acronym NAMI in alliance with Russian automaker Sollers, which also partners with Ford in Russia.