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Putin to confer with auto industry executives, visit AVTOVAZ Wed

The Russian automotive market became Europe's second-largest by the scope of sales amounting to 2.8 million vehicles in 2011
Photo www.lada-largus.com
Photo www.lada-largus.com

MOSCOW, April 4 (Itar-Tass) — Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will make a working trip to the city of Togliatti on Wednesday. Over there, he will visit AVTOVAZ autoworks and start up the production of a new utility vehicle model, the Lada Largus. He is also to hold a conference at the enterprise to discuss the development of the domestic automotive industry in the light of Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization. The executives of Russian and foreign motor companies operating on the Russian market will also participate in the conference along with government members.

The Russian automotive market became Europe's second-largest by the scope of sales amounting to 2.8 million vehicles in 2011, after Germany, and the world's fourth one after the PRC, the United States, and Germany.

As compared with 2010, the sale of cars last year grew by almost 40 percent, and that of trucks by more than a half. In the past several years, the world's major automotive giants have set up their production plants in the Russian Federation. A special industrial assembly treatment has been introduced for them, granting a number of privileges under production localization conditions.

It is expected that prior to the commencement of the conference, the Head of Government will also tour AVTOVAZ where he will attend a ceremony to launch the serial production of motor vehicles of the Lada Largus family on the VO (vertical offset) conveyor line.

This production line has been turning out motor vehicles of classical configuration. since 1970. In the 2011-2012 period the line has been modernized, and fitted out with new equipment that is up to modern technological and environmental requirements.

The manufacture of Lada Largus vehicles is the first large-scale joint project of AVTOVAZ and the Renault-Nissan alliance which, as of now, owns 25 percent of stake plus one share. The partners intend to establish the production of up to 350,000 vehicles a year on the VO platform. Expenses on the start-up of the new production process ran at about 400 million euros (AVTOVAZ - 25 percent, Renault - 50 percent, and Nissan - 25 percent)

This vehicle is adapted for operation in Russia's conditions. This is a licensed utility vehicle of increased holding capacity. It will be turned out in the form of seven- and five-seat cars and a freight-carryring truck.

By 2020, AVTOVAZ production facilities are to turn out up to 1,200,000 cars of Lada, Renault, and Nissan brands.