Despite BMW’s exit from the Russian market in 2022, new BMW crossovers are still being assembled in the country, according to Autoblog. However, the company says it has no connection to these vehicles.
According to Autoblog, citing Russian media outlet Kommersant, the Kaliningrad-based Avtotor plant, BMW’s former contract assembly partner in Russia, has begun producing the X5, X6 and X7 using components left over after the brand exited the market. Externally, they look like the 2022 pre-facelift models but are registered as 2025- and 2026-model-year vehicles.
As supplies of genuine parts run low, the manufacturer is increasingly using locally produced substitutes to replace wiring harnesses, rubber components, and certain body parts.
No updates and no warranty
The BMWs newly assembled in Russia are not connected to BMW’s official servers, meaning they do not receive software updates and are not supported by the manufacturer.
At the same time, sellers are trying to turn this drawback into a feature, telling buyers that the vehicles cannot be remotely blocked or tracked because they operate independently.
BMW warns potential buyers
Despite a lack of official warranty and quality control, demand for these SUVs remains high. According to the outlet, the price range is $154,000 to $172,000.
The Munich-based automaker has already stated that it has no connection to these vehicles and warned prospective buyers about potential safety and quality risks.
