July 11, 2026
German automaker BMW said vehicles bearing its brand are continuing to be assembled in Russia without its authorization, warning buyers about what it described as "pirated BMW" cars produced by its former manufacturing partner after the company exited the country following the invasion of Ukraine.
BMW told Germany's Bild newspaper that production at the Kaliningrad plant operated by its former Russian partner Avtotor was taking place without the company's approval.
According to Bild, Avtotor resumed assembling BMW X5, X6 and X7 sport utility vehicles earlier this year using stocks of components left over from 2022, when BMW halted its Russian operations after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
A BMW spokesperson told Ukrainian media outlet United24 that the production was being carried out on an irregular basis. The company said vehicles assembled since 2022 have not undergone BMW's quality control procedures or certification.
