French market is waiting for a new "Niva"

January 23-24, the French delegation visited the AvtoVAZ. Its membership includes representatives of the official distributor of VAZ, France's "Lada-France" led by President Roger Marikurom Directorate, as well as leaders of the three most popular automotive publications in France "4x4 MAGAZINE", "AUTO VERTE" and "4x4 MONDIAL". The program of stay included a visit to the main production, scientific and technical center and a museum of JSC "AvtoVAZ". Due to the nature of publications, the main theme of which - SUVs, of great interest to the French side has shown "Niva" and its modifications. I must say that most of the sales of "Lada-France" make it "Niva": the last year of almost 2300 cars a "Lada" was sold in 1600 VAZ SUVs. According to Roger Marikura, roughly the same sales volumes to continue in 2002. In general, during the existence of "Lada-France", starting in September 1992, the French market was supplied about 50 thousands of "Neve". - Sales of VAZ cars in France began in 1972 - said Alexander Borovkov, a member of the Directorate of the firm "Lada-France." - First there was, of course, "classic", then the family of "Samara", now on the French market of VAZ models are sold "Niva" cars and VAZ-2110. Today in France are operated by about 500 thousand cars VAZ production. January 23, the delegation met with First Vice-President, First Deputy General Director of JSC "AvtoVAZ" Nicholas Lyachenkovym. Nikolai briefly described the activities of joint-production models, the prospects for development, the work of AvtoVAZ in the foreign markets and answered questions from French journalists. Most French people interested in the model VAZ-2123, the future "Chevrolet-Niva". Relevant issues are timing the start of production cars for export shipments of the new "Niva" in France, technical specifications, the main differences between the old and new "Niva", as well as the possible involvement of "Lada-France" in commerce joint venture. Nicholas Lyachenkov, said the final word will be for the leaders of the joint venture, but AvtoVAZ, for its part, would recommend "Lada-France" for inclusion in the sales of new models on the French market. Svetlana Lysyakova