Production Begins at New GM-AvtoVAZ Joint Venture Plant
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| New Chevrolet Niva won't be coming to Canada anytime soon. |
Remember the Niva? It was a Russian built SUV sold through Lada dealers a few years back. Well, now it's called the Chevrolet Niva, and the first one rolled off the assembly line recently to mark the start of production at the new GM-AvtoVAZ joint venture plant in Togliatti, Russia. The $12,500 four-wheel-drive compact SUV represents a new level of value for the Russian market.
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| I do hope that some day in Russia they will comprehend too the truth of the formula known to the entire world: "Whatever is good for the auto industry, is good for the country", K. G. SAKHAROV, Vice-President, General Director, Department of Development, AVTOVAZ Inc. |
For its first full year the GM-AvtoVAZ JV plans to produce 35,000 Nivas but by 2005 production is expected to reach 75,000 units. The Niva will be sold in Russia beginning later this year, with exports to Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America planned to begin in October 2003. There's no word as to their future availability in Canada.
