Blaze at Kaluga Automotive Plant
A substantial fire erupted on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at a facility in Russia's Kaluga region, formerly owned by Volkswagen and now utilized for the assembly of Tenet brand cars. The incident, which saw flames spread across an area of up to 4,000 square meters, has reportedly led to a halt in production at the plant.
According to Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry, the fire originated in a foam recycling workshop within the Tenet automobile plant. Other reports suggest the fire began in the body shop, where plastic used in the production process ignited before spreading to foam plastic cladding. Firefighters were deployed to the scene and successfully extinguished the blaze.
Casualties and Operational Impact
While a company spokesperson and Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry stated that 'no one was injured', some preliminary reports indicated that 'three people were injured, and the number may increase'. Unconfirmed reports suggest that operations at the facility were forced to cease following the fire.
From Volkswagen to Tenet: A Shift in Production
The factory, located southwest of Moscow, has a history rooted in German automotive manufacturing. Volkswagen sold the Kaluga plant to the Russian automotive group AGR Holding in 2023, following its exit from the Russian market after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, AGR Holding, a subsidiary of Avilon, partnered with Chinese automaker Defetoo to produce vehicles under the Tenet brand.
The Tenet vehicles assembled at the plant are primarily reworked Chinese models, adapted from Chery designs, including models such as the Tenet T4, T7, and T8, which are similar to the Chery Tiggo 4, Tiggo 7L, and Tiggo 8 Plus. Between August and December 2025, the Kaluga factory manufactured approximately 50,000 Tenet crossovers and SUVs. The Tenet brand had ambitious plans, aiming to capture at least 10% of Russia's projected 1.4 million-vehicle market, and by the end of December 2025, it had reached the third place in car sales in Russia.
Investigation Underway
The exact causes of the fire and the full extent of the damage are currently under investigation. The incident highlights ongoing challenges for industrial facilities in the region, particularly those that have undergone significant operational changes in recent years.
5 Comments
Michelangelo
A setback, but they'll bounce back stronger. Russian manufacturing is tough.
BuggaBoom
While Russia has shown resilience in adapting former foreign-owned factories to new brands, incidents like this fire underscore the ongoing challenges in maintaining infrastructure and operational stability. The shift from established manufacturers to new partnerships brings both opportunities and risks.
KittyKat
Another disaster waiting to happen in Russian factories. Predictable.
Raphael
An investigation into the fire's cause is crucial for preventing future incidents at this or other facilities. This event not only impacts Tenet but also serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and vulnerabilities faced by industrial operations in a rapidly changing geopolitical and economic landscape.
Leonardo
It's impressive how quickly Tenet scaled up production and captured market share in Russia. However, a major fire originating in a foam recycling workshop raises serious questions about industrial safety standards under new management.