Renault will transfer its stake in AvtoVAZ, the maker of Lada, to Russian automotive research facility, NAMI, the French automaker said on Wednesday.
According to Reuters, NAMI will acquire Renault’s 68 percent stake for a symbolic 1 Rouble, which as of today, is worth just under 1.4 American cents. The Russian institution was founded over a century ago and is the country’s leading scientific organization in the field of automotive industry development. In the past, NAMI has been responsible for designing and building multiple models of automobiles, but perhaps most notably President Vladimir Putin’s Aurus Senat limousine.
The transfer is one of the latest examples of Russian institutions snapping up Western companies for pennies, amid a mass exodus from the market.
The deal was first reported by Russian news agencies citing Trade Minister Denis Manturov. Renault will still have an opportunity to reacquire AvtoVAZ within five or six years if it wishes, but at a significantly higher cost than 1 Rouble according to the Trade Minister. “If during this period we make investments, then that will be taken into account when it comes to the cost. There won’t be any presents here,” Manturov said.
Read More: Renault Could Transfer Its Controlling Stake In AvtoVAZ To Russian Investor
In addition to the stake transfer, the Renault factory in Moscow that manufacturers both Renault and Nissan branded cars will also be sold to the capital city’s government.
More than 750 companies have announced their suspension of operations in Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, which has led to billions of dollars in assets potentially being repatriated by the country.
Renault’s stake in AvtoVAZ began in 2008 with an initial share of 25%, worth more than $1 billion. The brand gradually increased its stake in the Russian automaker until it was fully consolidated into its balance sheet in 2017.
With such a large stake, Renault is the Western brand most exposed to Russia, and recently announced that it would be suspending its operations in the country amid pressure from governments as well the public.
Neither Renault nor the French government, which owns a 15 percent stake in the automaker, offered immediate comment on the transfer.