"Currently the main assembly line has been completely stopped for an indefinite term," the press office said.

Russia's leading carmaker AvtoVAZ restarted its assembly line on February 9 after suspending production on February 5 after experiencing difficulties with its suppliers.

The supply problems emerged after the car manufacturer introduced a new payment scheme, which meant that just 30% of components supplied were paid for in cash, with AvtoVAZ using promissory notes from its own and affiliated banks to pay for the remaining 70% of deliveries.