The former Soviet car manufacturer's plants and available technology remains far from leading-edge, so buying underpinnings from other companies appears to be the most efficient way of building competitive new cars quickly.
According to the article, AvtoVAZ has been looking at the possibility of using a Mercedes chassis, though DaimlerChrysler denied any such talks, as has Fiat.
Earlier in February, AvtoVAZ announced it is planning on developing a dozen new models based on three new platforms.