Kaliningrad factory illegally assembles pirated BMWs

Despite BMW's official withdrawal from the Russian market following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a factory in Kaliningrad is reportedly continuing to assemble the German brand's vehicles.

Operating without an official license, the plant is utilizing stockpiled parts that remained in Russia from before 2022. The primary models being reassembled are the BMW X5, X6, and X7. Production rates have notably surged, with nearly three times more unofficial BMWs assembled in 2025 compared to the previous year.

These reassembled vehicles externally resemble the 2022 models but are being marketed and sold as 2025 or even 2026 models. BMW has officially condemned this production as illegal and is cautioning consumers against purchasing these counterfeit vehicles. Reports indicate that some components, such as hoses, certain body parts, and cable systems, are now being manufactured in Russia due to the unavailability of original parts. The vehicles' software is also reportedly not fully functional, with parts of it being replaced by Russian-made alternatives.

These unofficial BMWs are being sold in Russia for 12-14 million rubles, approximately 150,000 euros, a price significantly higher than a new BMW X7 in Germany, which starts around 105,000 euros. This situation highlights a broader trend in Russia of copying Western vehicle designs, as seen with the ZIF "Morena" electric car, which bears a resemblance to the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.