NAMI
Russian state automotive research centre in Moscow; controlling owner of Avtovaz since 2022.
NAMI, Russia's state automotive research centre in Moscow, bought Renault's 67.69% stake in Avtovaz in May 2022 and has controlled the Lada maker through Lada Auto Holding since.
Last refreshed: 12 October 2026
Why does a state research institute control the Lada maker Avtovaz?
Timeline for NAMI
Mentioned in: Putin clears sale of AO UniCredit Bank
Russia-Ukraine War 2026Background
NAMI is a federal state unitary enterprise with the status of a State Research Centre of the Russian Federation, based on Avtomotornaya Street in Moscow. Fedor Nazarov is director general. Renault's filings call it the Central Research and Development Automobile and Engine Institute.
A research institute became a carmaker's owner when Renault left Russia. In May 2022 NAMI took Renault's 67.69% stake in Avtovaz, the maker of Lada. Its grip tightened in May 2023, when it took Rostec's share and owned the Lada holding company outright; that lasted until September 2024, when Rostec took a 32.3% share back.
The institute's role shows how Moscow absorbs departing Western assets through state bodies. The order of 5 October 2026 clearing the sale of UniCredit's Russian bank again leaves the Kremlin setting the terms.