Skoda Begins Full Production of Fabia in Russia

The facelifted version of the Fabia supermini has become the second model in the Skoda range after the Octavia to enter full-cycle production at the VW Group's Kaluga plant in Russia, the automaker announced today. Full-cycle production includes welding and painting.

The Volkswagen Group opened the factory in Kaluga in November 2007, and its planned capacity is 150,000 cars a year.

"The Skoda Fabia is such a popular vehicle in the Russian market and we happy to say that it is now the second all-Russian car of our brand," said Petr Janeba, Head of Skoda Russia.

The 2010 Fabia will be available at all official Russian dealerships from the beginning of May 2010.

»»  read more

The Russian Connection: Chevrolet's Sales Across the Pond Fall Flat

Chevrolet's European sales figures are hoping to be 425,000 units in 2010; far from bad, but nowhere close to the million units GM is looking for over the next decade. For reference, Chevrolet Europe's sales dropped from an all-time high of 500,000 units in 2008.

A major problem in GM's planning is Russia, which was predicted to overtake Germany as the largest European market in the near future. Automotive sales in the Russian market plummeted by 50% last year to 1.45 million in 2009.

Autofacts, a division of PriceWatwerhouseCoopers, explains, "The financial crisis has underlined many structural weaknesses that will likely impact the future trajectory of the market."

Here's what the analysts have to say:

Walt Madeira (CSM Worldwide):
"I would think 425,000 this year is going to be difficult. Anything above 375,000 I would say is very good, but they will be hard-pressed to do even that. Long term, I would say 600,000 by 2015 or 2016 is more likely."

"The [Russian] scrapping program is aimed to help Russian manufacturers like Lada. Chevrolet's sales projections assume a recovery in Russia. If it was a three million market, they might end up selling 300,000 or 350,000 but that doesn't seem to be the case. Russia doesn't look like it's recovering as fast as China, Brazil or India."

Professor Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer (Center for Automotive Research, University of Duisberg-Essen):
"Do they have better models? No way because VW, Nissan-Renault, Kia-Hyundai, Fiat and many others have far better sales. Do they have a specific advantage in technology? It's just GM. Do they have better cost structures? No way...In a few years Chinese brands like BYD and Geely will be in Europe. They will increase sales by chasing Chevy drivers. The brand is very weak."

Jonathon Poskitt (J.D. Power and Associates):
"As Russia does make progress, Chevrolet will, of course, benefit from its significant presence there. There is room for Chevrolet to increase brand awareness in Europe and it will be helped by building on a solid portfolio of models and by entering new segments...I see Chevrolet competing more with the likes of Hyundai/Kia, Fiat, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, etc. than Opel."

Chevrolet's European range currently includes the new Spark city car, the Aveo supermini, the subcompact Lacetti, the Epica sedan, the Captiva SUV and the new Cruze sedan.

Within the next two years, GM will enhance the firm's line-up with the next-generation Aveo, the Orlando MPV and the Camaro which will be Chevy's halo car.

If anyone has thoughts on how to promote Chevrolet in Europe, drop your ideas in the comments section below.

- By Phil Alex

Via: Detnews

»»  read more

The Russian Connection: Chevrolet's Sales Across the Pond Fall Flat

Chevrolet's European sales figures are hoping to be 425,000 units in 2010; far from bad, but nowhere close to the million units GM is looking for over the next decade. For reference, Chevrolet Europe's sales dropped from an all-time high of 500,000 units in 2008.

A major problem in GM's planning is Russia, which was predicted to overtake Germany as the largest European market in the near future. Automotive sales in the Russian market plummeted by 50% last year to 1.45 million in 2009.

Autofacts, a division of PriceWatwerhouseCoopers, explains, "The financial crisis has underlined many structural weaknesses that will likely impact the future trajectory of the market."

Here's what the analysts have to say:

Walt Madeira (CSM Worldwide):
"I would think 425,000 this year is going to be difficult. Anything above 375,000 I would say is very good, but they will be hard-pressed to do even that. Long term, I would say 600,000 by 2015 or 2016 is more likely."

"The [Russian] scrapping program is aimed to help Russian manufacturers like Lada. Chevrolet's sales projections assume a recovery in Russia. If it was a three million market, they might end up selling 300,000 or 350,000 but that doesn't seem to be the case. Russia doesn't look like it's recovering as fast as China, Brazil or India."

Professor Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer (Center for Automotive Research, University of Duisberg-Essen):
"Do they have better models? No way because VW, Nissan-Renault, Kia-Hyundai, Fiat and many others have far better sales. Do they have a specific advantage in technology? It's just GM. Do they have better cost structures? No way...In a few years Chinese brands like BYD and Geely will be in Europe. They will increase sales by chasing Chevy drivers. The brand is very weak."

Jonathon Poskitt (J.D. Power and Associates):
"As Russia does make progress, Chevrolet will, of course, benefit from its significant presence there. There is room for Chevrolet to increase brand awareness in Europe and it will be helped by building on a solid portfolio of models and by entering new segments...I see Chevrolet competing more with the likes of Hyundai/Kia, Fiat, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, etc. than Opel."

Chevrolet's European range currently includes the new Spark city car, the Aveo supermini, the subcompact Lacetti, the Epica sedan, the Captiva SUV and the new Cruze sedan.

Within the next two years, GM will enhance the firm's line-up with the next-generation Aveo, the Orlando MPV and the Camaro which will be Chevy's halo car.

If anyone has thoughts on how to promote Chevrolet in Europe, drop your ideas in the comments section below.

- By Phil Alex

Via: Detnews

»»  read more

TopCar Targets Russia's New Money with Porsche Panamera Stingray

Russia's newly formed high society will soon be able to turn to one of its own tuners to make their Porsche Panamera stand out from the crowd as TopCar has officially revealed its Stingray program for Stuttgart's four-door sports saloon.

Developed in cooperation with domestic tuner Cardi (bodykit design) and Germany's 9ff (performance upgrades and build), TopCar's Panamera Stingray comes with a full bodykit made from carboxylic fiber that includes newly designed front and rear bumpers, side skirts, rear diffuser, new bonnet and a twin rear spoiler.

The sport saloon's exterior looks are rounded off with a new set of 21-inch multispoke alloy wheels.

The carbon-fiber theme is continued in the not-suitable-for-epileptics interior with the dashboard, steering wheel, door panel and center console all finished in "authentic carbon", while TopCar also upholstered the seats and other parts of the interior with high-quality quilted nappa leather.

Performance-wise, TopCar said that the Stingray's package includes a new sport suspension that brings the Panamera a little closer to the road and an engine kit comprising of a new exhaust system and reconfigured ECU, without however, getting into any more details.

TopCar will display the Porsche Panamera Stingray for the first time in Russia at the Moscow Dream Car Show on April 2 while the international jet-set will get a chance to see the car in the flesh at the star-studded Top Marques exhibition in Monaco on the 15th of April.

»»  read more

Nissan to Build Murano SUV in Russia from 2011

Nissan has announced plans to build the Murano SUV at its St Petersburg factory in Russia. The start of production is planned for the beginning of 2011 and these models are for the Russian market only and not for export. Since the start of sales in Russia in November 2005, about 9,000 Muranos have been sold in the country.

The Japanese automaker also said that due to the slight recovery of the automotive market and growth in customer demand, it will increase the St Petersburg plant's staff from 850 to 1,450 employees adding a second shift this June

It is expected that the St. Petersburg plant, which currently builds the Teana mid-size sedan and the X-Trail SUV, will churn out 50,000 cars per year once it reaches its full capacity.

The Japanese company added that it will be opening 20 more dealerships throughout Russia as part of its plans to boost sales to more than 70,000 units this year, up from around 62,000 in 2009.

»»  read more

VIDEO: Bentley Continental and Maybach 62 Scrape Sides in Russia

Whilst this incident isn't in way serious - thankfully, it's not every day that you see a Bentley Continental and a Maybach 62 scraping sides (or ends, we can't tell with certainty from the video). According to the Russian media, the accident happened somewhere in Moscow when the driver of the Bentley lost control of the car due the slippery conditions of the road. More pics and video after the break.

Thanks for the tip Allen!

»»  read more

Maserati Kuba SUV Design Study with a bit of Dodge Razor Flair

So what is this: a new Maserati SUV model; a concept teaser? Fortunately for those that think highly of the Italian automaker's latest designs such as the GrandTurismo, the answer to both questions is no. This is an extremely well executed but, sorry to say, far from sleek or stylish, independent design study for a crossover Maserati model created by Russian designer Andrey Trofimchuk. Furthermore, we couldn't help but notice some design similarities, especially up front, to the 2002 Dodge Razor Concept.

To be honest, if it weren't for the inverted A-pillar up front that was a dead giveaway, we wouldn't have thought of the American automaker's concept coupe. Well, at least that's what we think. As always, you can agree or disagree with us in the comment section below.

We thank Grigory from Cardesign for the photos

2002 DODGE RAZOR CONCEPT

_____________________________________________________________________

MASERATI KUBA SUV DESIGN STUDY

»»  read more