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Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[GM issues a 'No-Decision' on fate of Opel, German government not happy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/24/gm-issues-a-no-decision-on-fate-of-opel-german-government-not-h/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/24/gm-issues-a-no-decision-on-fate-of-opel-german-government-not-h/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/24/gm-issues-a-no-decision-on-fate-of-opel-german-government-not-h/#commentsFiled under: Europe, GM, Opel

General Motors was meant to decide who would be the winning bidder for Opel last Friday. But it didn't. Instead, GM asked the German government for more information on federal financial assistance available to buyers. The German government would like Magna to take over Opel as it vowed to retain a huge chunk of jobs in Germany, but GM has given every indication of preferring Belgian investment fund RHJ.

GM wants to know how much money RHJ would get in case it was chosen to buy Opel. It looks like GM still has issues with Magna buying Opel and is looking for a way to choose RHJ and save at least a little face with the German government. If RHJ can get an attractive financial package from the feds, it can also save more jobs than it might be inclined to otherwise, and GM doesn't have to worry about Russian competitors using its own technology.

The German government wants none of it, though. It has called on the United States government to get GM to make a decision. That isn't likely to happen, but it shows how intense things are with Opel, politicians, labor and upcoming elections. On a side note, the BBC reported that part of GM's plan could include a buy-back option for Opel, which, if true, would probably make a lot more sense for RHJ than Magna.

[Source: Auto News, sub req'd]

GM issues a 'No-Decision' on fate of Opel, German government not happy originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europegazgeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgermanygmmagnaopelrhjrhj internationalRhjInternationalsberbankMon, 24 Aug 2009 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Beijing Automotive bids for Opel; Magna still expected to close deal]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/05/beijing-automotive-bids-for-opel-magna-still-expected-to-close/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/05/beijing-automotive-bids-for-opel-magna-still-expected-to-close/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/05/beijing-automotive-bids-for-opel-magna-still-expected-to-close/#commentsFiled under: China, Europe, GM, Opel, Vauxhall

Even though Beijing Automotive (BAIC) tendered a non-binding offer for Opel, the company is said to have no chance of actually acquiring the brand. General Motors is still in talks with Magna and its partners, GAZ and Sberbank, and according to Sberbank CEO German Graf, "The choice has been made and the question now is of how to structure the deal."

Observers also feel that the GM-Magna agreement is merely waiting on some dotted I's, crossed T's and that the deal won't fall apart unless Magna blows it up or walks away. That hasn't stopped GM and the German government from creating the appearance of courting other bidders for Opel and Vauxhall, including BAIC and Belgium's RHJ.

BAIC appears to be serious, even if everyone assumes that GM's just using it as a decoy. Magna wants to get the paperwork inked by July 15, and that's around the same time that BAIC wants to make a binding offer for Opel's purchase. It's working with Deutsche Bank and PriceWaterhouse Coopers on its proposal, and we can only assume BAIC will be ready with a bag full of cash in the unlikely event Magna exits stage left.

[Source: Auto News, sub req'd]

Beijing Automotive bids for Opel; Magna still expected to close deal originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Jul 2009 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baicbeijing automotivebeijing automotive industry corpBeijingAutomotiveBeijingAutomotiveIndustryCorpchinaeuroeuropegazgeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgermanygmmagnaopelrhjrhj internationalRhjInternationalsberbankvauxhallSun, 05 Jul 2009 11:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Marchionne confirms Fiat still interested in Opel]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/28/marchionne-confirms-fiat-still-interested-in-opel/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/28/marchionne-confirms-fiat-still-interested-in-opel/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/28/marchionne-confirms-fiat-still-interested-in-opel/#commentsFiled under: Europe, Government/Legal, GM, Opel, Fiat

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, watching the travails of GM, Opel and Magna from his comfy Italian perch, has sent word that his previous offer for Opel is still on the table if anyone is interested. That offer, though, can't be sweetened because he doesn't "believe we could improve Fiat's offer. It's the most rational one we can put forward from an industrial viewpoint."

It doesn't appear as though anyone's listening. The German government wants to save German jobs, Opel workers are determined to vote down anyone who tries to take them away, and GM wants the most money and the least competition. Fiat's offer doesn't exactly fit that template.

GM and Magna & Co. will dance for a while longer, and if that doesn't work out, then GM will begin again with RHJ and Beijing Automotive. In the meantime, someone's going to have to pay to keep Opel running. Could it be that the most reasonable offer will be left unanswered while the other parties look for more expedient solutions?

[Source: Auto News, sub req'd]

Marchionne confirms Fiat still interested in Opel originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beijing automotiveBeijingAutomotiveeuroeuropefiatgazgermanygmgovernmentmagnaopelrhjsberbanksergio marchionneSergioMarchionneSun, 28 Jun 2009 19:05:00 EST<![CDATA[GM worried about Magna deal for Opel, sign backup deal with RHJ, Beijing Automotive]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/26/gm-worried-about-magna-deal-for-opel-sign-backup-deal-with-rhj/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/26/gm-worried-about-magna-deal-for-opel-sign-backup-deal-with-rhj/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/26/gm-worried-about-magna-deal-for-opel-sign-backup-deal-with-rhj/#commentsFiled under: Europe, Government/Legal, GM, Opel

When it came to buying Opel, Fiat's Sergio Marchionne told GM and the German government: "If you have a better offer, take it." They both took Magna, along with its Russian partners Sberbank and GAZ, because that consortium offered a better competitive arrangement and fewer job cuts in Germany. The deal wasn't slated to be finished until September, but it's encountered a few pockets of serious turbulence.

Magna's plans for engineering changes to Opels is worrying to GM because that alters the economics of the General's parts sharing. Magna also wants access to future GM technology, such as fuel cells, that GM doesn't want to hand over. GM is additionally worried about Sberbank, which has already stated its intention to sell its 35% stake once Opel is restructured; GM wants to have a hand in selecting the buyer, and it doesn't want its tech buoying the Russian car industry, nor does it want to compete with what could essentially be Russian versions of Opels.

Magna has its own problems as well, with at least one manufacturer telling the Canadian company that it could be a parts supplier or a competitor, not both. With all those fires to be doused, GM has entered into non-binding agreements with China's Beijing Automotive, and Belgium's RHJ International investment bank -- which looks like another Cerberus scenario -- as backup plans. As for the Germans, it was claimed today that no decision on Opel will come before the country's national elections on September 27.

The only problem with that is GM has stopped all payments to Opel, and the German firm is said to be losing €5 million a day. At that rate, the German government's €1.5 billion bridge loan to Magna that was part of the potential deal will run out before the elections. That means, as we've seen so many times before in this saga, something's got to break.

[Source: Bloomberg via TTAC]

GM worried about Magna deal for Opel, sign backup deal with RHJ, Beijing Automotive originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>euroeuropegazgeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgermanygovernmentlegalmagnaopelsberbankFri, 26 Jun 2009 17:32:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Ex-GM VP Bo Andersson to run Russia's GAZ]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/16/report-ex-gm-vp-bo-andersson-to-run-russias-gaz/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/16/report-ex-gm-vp-bo-andersson-to-run-russias-gaz/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/16/report-ex-gm-vp-bo-andersson-to-run-russias-gaz/#commentsFiled under: Europe, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, GM, Russia

Bo Andersson was General Motors' global purchasing group vice president up until last Friday, when he suddenly resigned without warning. Now, we appear to know why he left - Automotive News is reporting that Andersson will become CEO of GAZ, the Russian consumer and military vehicle maker.

As you may recall, GAZ is involved by proxy in the purchase of Opel, since Russian bank Sberbank is GAZ's largest investor and Magna's partner in the pending deal for Opel. With Andersson at the helm, GAZ would have a European automotive industry insider (he also spent time at Saab) and a known cost-cutter and dealmaker. As a result, AN speculates that Andersson could end up playing a key role in the revival of Opel's fortunes.

Andersson's installation as CEO is not a done deal just yet - he still must still be formally voted in by the GAZ board.

[Source: Automotive News, sub req'd]

REPORT: Ex-GM VP Bo Andersson to run Russia's GAZ originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bo anderssonBoAnderssongazgeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmhiringrussiaTue, 16 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Opel stake could give Russian automaker an injection of "know-how"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/09/opel-stake-could-give-russian-automaker-an-injection-of-know-ho/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/09/opel-stake-could-give-russian-automaker-an-injection-of-know-ho/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/09/opel-stake-could-give-russian-automaker-an-injection-of-know-ho/#commentsFiled under: Opel, Russia

If you tried telling us even as recently as a year ago that General Motors would be forced to sell its European assets and that a partnership between a Canadian parts supplier and a Russian bank would step up to take the stake, we'd have probably raised a few eyebrows. But such is the state of the General and the industry at large, with Magna and Sberbank looking poised to take a big chunk of Opel of GM's hands. The question everyone is asking, however, is what the Russian state bank wants with the German automaker.

According to emerging reports, the Russian financial institution could be preparing to pass on its share of the Opel shares to Russian automaker Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod (GAZ). It's no great secret that the auto industry in Russia has failed to advance at the same rate as the rest of the world, and both the Russian federal government and Russian automakers like GAZ are keen to take their products into the, err... present. Taking advantage of Opel's technologies could be the winning ticket. In addition to the Opel stake, the deal also reportedly includes the purchase of GM's assembly plant in St. Petersburg for a princely $92 million.

[Source: Automotive News Europe - Sub. Req.]

Opel stake could give Russian automaker an injection of "know-how" originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 06:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gazgorkovsky avtomobilny zavodGorkovskyAvtomobilnyZavodgorky automobile plantGorkyAutomobilePlantgorskymagnamagna internationalMagnaInternationalopelsberbankTue, 09 Jun 2009 06:58:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: GAZ confirms interest in Opel]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/12/gaz-confirms-interest-in-opel/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/12/gaz-confirms-interest-in-opel/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/12/gaz-confirms-interest-in-opel/#commentsFiled under: Opel, Russia

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin himself has said that at the behest of Magna, Russia's GAZ conglomerate is considering taking a 30% interest in Opel. GAZ, though, has made it clear that it does not want to run or own Opel - what it really seems to want is to have cars to produce at its factory in Nizhny Novgorod. Under such a proposal, Automotive News reports that Magna would take 20% of Opel.

The German authorities are now weighing the offers from Magna/GAZ and Fiat. GM is said to prefer a single bidder, in the guise of Fiat, while Germany was recently said to prefer Magna's proposal because of promises to keep production in Germany. If, however, GAZ's real desire is to increase its Russian production abilities, if it were to take a larger stake in Opel than Magna, there will undoubtedly be conflicts to resolve. And that's before the remaining 50% partners' needs and wishes are taken into account.

[Source: Auto News, sub req'd]

REPORT: GAZ confirms interest in Opel originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 May 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fiatgazmagnamergers and acquisitionsMergersAndAcquisitionsoleg deripaskaOlegDeripaskaopelputinrussiaTue, 12 May 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Documents reveal Chrysler tried to sell parts to Chinese, tie-up with almost every automaker]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/01/documents-reveal-chrysler-tried-to-sell-parts-to-chinese-tie-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/01/documents-reveal-chrysler-tried-to-sell-parts-to-chinese-tie-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/01/documents-reveal-chrysler-tried-to-sell-parts-to-chinese-tie-up/#commentsFiled under: Chrysler

According to an affidavit filed in the New York U.S. Bankruptcy Court where Chrysler filed for Chapter 11, the automaker's Co-President and Vice Chairman Tom LaSorda is quoted as saying "Chrysler has attempted in recent weeks to sell product lines and other units to a number of Chinese companies, but these efforts ... have been unsuccessful." The now bankrupt automaker offered the Chinese firms - including the Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co. and Chery - engines, transmissions, vehicle lines, intellectual property rights, distribution channels and its brands during a five-day summit in February. But nothing came to fruition.

Even more interesting/disturbing is the revelation that for the last two years, Chrysler has attempted to forge an alliance with nearly every automaker on the planet, including GAZ, Honda, Hyundai, Magna, Nissan and Tata, along with General Motors and even Toyota.

The document reveals:

Chrysler and GM were in discussions in June and August of 2008, then later in November, with a last-ditch attempt in January which died shortly thereafter.
A plan was proposed to Toyota, in which Chrysler would provide the Japanese automaker with its excess capacity or work with Toyota to develop new products, including (laughably) hybrids.
Talks with Nissan failed in July, started again in September, then again in January and were eventually shot down.
And finally, Honda received a proposal from Chrysler - then promptly rejected it the next day.

According to LaSorda, potential mergers, "have been determined and undertaken in good faith, but have met uniformly without success." And with that, Chrysler determined the best alliance would be with Fiat - not that it had many options remaining.

[Source: Detroit News | Image Source: Stan Honda/Getty]

Documents reveal Chrysler tried to sell parts to Chinese, tie-up with almost every automaker originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 May 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allianceschrychryslergazgmhondahyundaimagnamergersnissantatatie-upstoyotaFri, 01 May 2009 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Russia expected to be third largest global market by 2012]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/21/russia-expected-to-be-third-largest-global-market-by-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/21/russia-expected-to-be-third-largest-global-market-by-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/21/russia-expected-to-be-third-largest-global-market-by-2012/#commentsFiled under: Etc., Europe, Earnings/Financials, Russia

Russia has long been included under the "emerging markets" umbrella that carmakers have been saying would lead to future industry growth. The economic fallout put an end to those predictions, with Russia suffering just as badly - and if you include the oil sector, some would say even worse - as any other economy. But even though sales are down, Frost & Sullivan predicts that Russia could rebound to be the world's 3rd largest auto market by 2012, behind the U.S. and China.

The prediction is based on steps Russia is taking to strengthen its automotive sector: it is increasing import tariffs and limiting the importation of used cars. The new importation law, similar to one recently passed by Bolivia, reduces the maximum allowable age of an imported car from 7 years to 5. Russia is also reviewing bank lending practices, since the money it flushed into the economy hasn't really had an effect on loan availability yet (not unlike the U.S.).

Lending and the size of the import tariff that Russia imposes seem to be the most important factors in making this prediction come true. But one thing not mentioned in Frost & Sullivan's forecast was oil. When the world economy gets off its knees, the price of oil is going to head for the moon again, and "expensive" oil means more Russians with money, and that could mean a return to more sales, provided the country's oil barons share the wealth. You can read the full press release after the jump.

[Source: Frost & Sullivan]

Continue reading Russia expected to be third largest global market by 2012

Russia expected to be third largest global market by 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto industryauto marketAutoIndustryAutoMarketavtovazeconomyemerging marketsEmergingMarketsetceuropefinancialsgazkamazoilrussiaWed, 21 Jan 2009 11:27:00 EST<![CDATA[It's not a Sebring. Volga begins production of Siber sedan]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/30/its-not-a-sebring-volga-begins-production-of-siber-sedan/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/30/its-not-a-sebring-volga-begins-production-of-siber-sedan/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/30/its-not-a-sebring-volga-begins-production-of-siber-sedan/#commentsFiled under: Sedan, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Russia

Click above for more shots of the Volga Siber

Featuring a slightly revised front and rear fascia on a previous-generation Chrysler Sebring chassis, GAZ has resuscitated the Volga brand name with the Siber sedan. In the words of Sergey Zanozin, Chairman of the GAZ Group, "The GAZ Group has started to produce a new line of cars under the Volga brand on platforms from the world's leading manufacturers. The new production complex has the flexible capacity needed to bring new models into production at minimal cost and investment in the future." Well, alrighty then. While the old Sebring platform might not exactly set the world on fire, it is definitely a step in the right direction for Russian roads, with a slightly lifted ride height and beefed-up suspension components to handle the stresses of Siberian winters. The Siber uses a either a 2.0-liter Chrysler engine with 141 horsepower or a 2.4-liter churning out 143 hp. Standard features include air conditioning, dual airbags, ABS and traction control. All in all, it's not that bad.

Gallery: GAZ Siber

[Source: GAZ]

Continue reading It's not a Sebring. Volga begins production of Siber sedan

It's not a Sebring. Volga begins production of Siber sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jul 2008 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chrysler sebringChryslerSebringgazgaz groupgaz siberGazGroupGazSiberrussiarussian carrussian carsRussianCarRussianCarsvolga siberVolgaSiberWed, 30 Jul 2008 09:29:00 EST<![CDATA[From Russia, With Love: Owner of GAZ buys 5% of GM]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/07/from-russia-with-love-owner-of-gaz-buys-5-of-gm/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/07/from-russia-with-love-owner-of-gaz-buys-5-of-gm/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/07/from-russia-with-love-owner-of-gaz-buys-5-of-gm/#commentsFiled under: GM, Earnings/Financials

Okay, so maybe GAZ wasn't really interested in buying Land Rover and Jaguar from Ford, but that hasn't stopped Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska from buying a big chunk of another U.S. automaker. Deripaska is the owner of GAZ and he just bought 5% of General Motors on the open market. Said to be worth about $16.8 billion, Deripaska seems perfectly capable of coughing up the $900 million it will take him to purchase his 5% at Monday's closing price of $32.45 per share. Besides his links to GAZ and now GM, and along with rumors of his interest in Jaguar/Land Rover, Deripaska's Basic Element firm is also about to invest $1.54 billion in Magna International. Seriously, this guy needs a hobby other than spending money.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req.]

From Russia, With Love: Owner of GAZ buys 5% of GM originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GAZMagna InternationalMagnaInternationalOleg DeripaskaOlegDeripaskaTue, 07 Aug 2007 12:34:00 EST<![CDATA[No surprise: GAZ has no interest in buying Jaguar/Land Rover]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/31/no-surprise-gaz-has-no-interest-in-buying-jaguar-land-rover/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/31/no-surprise-gaz-has-no-interest-in-buying-jaguar-land-rover/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/31/no-surprise-gaz-has-no-interest-in-buying-jaguar-land-rover/#commentsFiled under: Jaguar, Land Rover

Contrary to the reports that surfaced yesterday asserting that Russian automaker GAZ was interested in purchasing Land Rover and Jaguar, a spokesman for the company has officially denied the rumors. Reuters quoted Oleg Deripaska, the billionaire behind Russian Machines, the umbrella corporation that owns GAZ, as saying that, "There is no interest from my company or from our subsidiary Gaz in any of these brands." 'Nuff said? Good, we're moving on.

[Source: Reuters]

No surprise: GAZ has no interest in buying Jaguar/Land Rover originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Jul 2007 07:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gazjaguarland roverLandRoveroleg deripaskaOlegDeripaskarussiarussianTue, 31 Jul 2007 07:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Russia GAZ may be interested in Land Rover/Jaguar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/30/russia-gaz-may-be-interested-in-land-rover-jaguar/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/30/russia-gaz-may-be-interested-in-land-rover-jaguar/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/30/russia-gaz-may-be-interested-in-land-rover-jaguar/#commentsFiled under: SUV, Land Rover

Could Land Rover and Jaguar be headed to Russia? CNN Money is reporting that Group GAZ is showing some interest in purchasing the firms from Ford. Ford has said that it will entertain offers for the two British marques and although several names have been mentioned, this was the first we heard of GAZ being involved. GAZ has already denied the rumor, although it was pointed out that the company has expressed an interest in expansion. This comes almost exactly a year after GAZ first denied interest in Jaguar in a separate sale rumor.

If it is interested, GAZ would be on a list of potential suitors that includes private equity firms Cerberus and One Equity Partners, plus new entrants Tata Motors and Mahindra, as well as newcomers American equity firms TPG and Ripplewood Holdings. Of course, all of this is still contingent on Ford really committing to the idea of a sale at all. Concerns about what a sale of these prestige brands could do to Ford's worldwide reputation are still keeping the company from serious work on a sale.

As we reported last week, Ford hasn't given any of the bidders a complete financial picture of Jaguar and Land Rover, nor have any of the bidders even been allowed to visit the factories or speak to senior management. Potential buyers have only been told not to bid if they plan on closing factories or moving production out of Britain. We'll keep you posted.

[Source: CNN Money]

Russia GAZ may be interested in Land Rover/Jaguar originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Jul 2007 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GAZJaguar saleJaguarSaleLand Rover saleLandRoverSaleMon, 30 Jul 2007 15:33:00 EST<![CDATA[From Russia with Love: GAZ Tiger-2 debuts at Moscow Motor Show]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/08/from-russia-with-love-gaz-tiger-2-debuts-at-moscow-motor-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/08/from-russia-with-love-gaz-tiger-2-debuts-at-moscow-motor-show/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/08/from-russia-with-love-gaz-tiger-2-debuts-at-moscow-motor-show/#commentsFiled under: SUV, Misc. Auto Shows

Gregory from CarDesign.ru tipped us off that Russian automaker GAZ unveiled a preproduction version of its Tiger-2 SUV at the Moscow Motor Show recently. The Tiger-2 looks very HUMMER-esque in profile, but has a face only a Russian drunk on vodka could love. And, are those... plastic wheel covers? The tigger is powered by a 190-hp diesel motor, which can actually get this mountain going 100 mph, but no more. The interior resembles the original HUMMER H1 with its obnoxiously wide central tunnel, but passengers will supposedly be treated to a smooth ride and plenty of comfort and convenience features.

With all the talk about when the Chinese will be flooding the U.S. market with inexpensive vehicles, one wonders if Russia's economy will ever be able to support the global aspirations of a native automaker like GAZ. Kinda makes you go... hmmm.

(More pictures after the jump)

[Source: CarDesign.ru]

Continue reading From Russia with Love: GAZ Tiger-2 debuts at Moscow Motor Show

From Russia with Love: GAZ Tiger-2 debuts at Moscow Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Sep 2006 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GAZmoscowrussiarussianFri, 08 Sep 2006 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[UPDATE: Russian automaker GAZ says no to Jaguar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/09/update-russian-automaker-gaz-says-no-to-jaguar/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/09/update-russian-automaker-gaz-says-no-to-jaguar/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/09/update-russian-automaker-gaz-says-no-to-jaguar/#commentsFiled under: Etc., Ford, Jaguar

Days after reports that Gorky Automobile Plant (GAZ) owner Oleg Deripaska was interested in purchasing the brand from Ford Motor Co., a spokesperson for the maker of the Volga announced that the automaker is not interested after all. GAZ, she states, is only interested in commercial vehicles and powertrains, not entire brands. Ford has yet to respond to this new development.

Related:
Would the sale of Jaguar involve Land Rover, too?
Jaguar could be in the sights of accelerated Way Forward plan

[Source: Verdict On Cars via Reuters UK]

UPDATE: Russian automaker GAZ says no to Jaguar originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Aug 2006 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bidcancellationGAZGorky Automobile PlantGorkyAutomobilePlantOleg DeripaskaOlegDeripaskaWed, 09 Aug 2006 09:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Vintage American iron thriving in Cuba]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/15/vintage-american-iron-thriving-in-cuba/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/15/vintage-american-iron-thriving-in-cuba/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/15/vintage-american-iron-thriving-in-cuba/#commentsFiled under: Classics, Government/Legal, South America

At least one of Autoblog's staffers is a sucker for the monthly 'Discovered' and 'Lost & Found' features British rags Thoroughbred & Classic Cars and Classic and Sports Car. Great 'barn finds' make our hairs stand up on end and constantly have us peering into farmyards whenever we drive through the countryside.

In this regard, at least, Cubans have it easy. Their streets fairly team with vintage iron, particularly American classics from the 1940's and 1950's. While this isn't exactly 'news,' Reuters has put a big number to the phenomenon: 60,000. That's how many of the buggers it believes are navigating the communist nation's roads, most of which are in states of tune that would make the cars' original engineers scratch their heads in wonder.

Given a 40+ year trade embargo with the U.S., modern vehicles are essentially unavailable, so many American classics have been pressed into service as cabs and private transports. With the availability of quality, affordable replacement parts being similarly non-existent, locals have taken to jury-rigging their rides with whatever bits they can muster- ancient Russian diesel engines, tatty Kia bits, baling wire, used cigar wrappers, anything. From the sounds of it, they're raising a generation of MacGyvers over there.

Cuban grand pooh-bah, Fidel Castro has announced plans to supplant privateer hacks out of business by buying some 8,000 Chinese cabs and busses. If El Presidente grinds the vintage iron to dust, it'd be a real shame. As it is, there are apparently some genuinely important classics lurking in Cuba, though efforts by American restorers and collectors have largely proven fruitless in getting around trade barriers.

[Sources: Reuters via CNN.com; HavanaJournal.com]

(Top tip, Evan!)

Vintage American iron thriving in Cuba originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 May 2006 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american carsamerican ironAmericanCarsAmericanIronantique carAntiqueCarAvtoVazBarn FindsBarnFindsBuickChevroletChevyclassic carClassicCarcollectible carCollectibleCarCubaCubanEl PresidenteElPresidenteFidel CastroFidelCastroGaztrade barrierTrade EmbargoTradeBarrierTradeEmbargovintage carsVintageCarsMon, 15 May 2006 11:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Volga Sebring? Gazelle Stratus? Russian automaker buys DaimlerChrysler tooling]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/14/volga-sebring-gazelle-stratus-russian-automaker-buys-daimlerch/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/14/volga-sebring-gazelle-stratus-russian-automaker-buys-daimlerch/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/14/volga-sebring-gazelle-stratus-russian-automaker-buys-daimlerch/#commentsFiled under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Daimler

DaimlerChrysler announced today that it is selling the tooling for its defunct Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus models to Gorky Automotive Works (GAZ) in Russia.

The tooling is being liberated by the renovation of DaimlerChrysler's Sterling Heights, Michigan plant, which is being prepared to build the next-generation Sebring and Stratus models.

GAZ will be able to produce and sell the vehicles in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States, under its Volga and Gazelle brands. The company holds 18 percent of the Russian auto market.

[Source: Automotive News]

Volga Sebring? Gazelle Stratus? Russian automaker buys DaimlerChrysler tooling originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Apr 2006 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chrysler sebringdodge stratusGAZgorky automotiveFri, 14 Apr 2006 18:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Volga lives! GAZ reverses plan to ice Cold War cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/12/volga-lives-gaz-reconsiders-icing-cold-war-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/12/volga-lives-gaz-reconsiders-icing-cold-war-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/12/volga-lives-gaz-reconsiders-icing-cold-war-cars/#commentsFiled under: Trends

Russian automaker GAZ (Gorky Automobile Plant) has abandoned plans to euthanize its production of Volga cars, announcing plans to refurbish them as 'historical products.'

The firm hopes to bring DaimlerChrysler into the mix by buying its diesel engines, and is considering joint-venture tie-ups with foreign nameplates, along with increased production capacity opportunities.

[Source: ITAR-TASS]

Volga lives! GAZ reverses plan to ice Cold War cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 12 Mar 2006 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DaimlerDaimlerChryslerDCXGAZRussian AutoRussian CarRussianAutoRussianCarVolgaSun, 12 Mar 2006 18:00:00 EST