Ford to Accelerate on Land Rovers in Russia
Even though top management of Russia’s Ford is elusive concerning extension production at Ford-Vsevolozhsk works, the Leningrad Region, the sources say a new shop is constructed there to assemble Land Rovers.
Russia’s president of Ford, Henric Nenzen, wasn’t straightforward when talking to reporters in Tyumen yesterday. He promised to make a definite statement about the company's facilities by late this year, specifying at last whether it will be another works, production extension or the second model. But one thing is clear now. Ford will be launching only new models in Russia, Ford-Vsevolozhsk doesn’t make enough cars (62,000) at present and dealers have long queues for supplies.
Ford-Vsevolozhsk will assemble a new model already in 2007. A special shop for Land Rovers is being constructed there, said sources at the works. The dealers specify Ford is willing to assemble its new Freelander in Russia. The car will be presented at Moscow Car Show this fall and available for sale starting from late this year or early next year.
“The decision on production extension hasn’t been made yet,” Ford Motor Co. briefer Yekaterina Kulinenko made clear yesterday.
Russia’s sales of Land Rovers climbed 67 percent to 4,080 in 2005, including 833 Freelanders. The new Freelander will be supplied with diesel engines (2.2 liters) or gasoline engines (3.2 liters), costing $34,000 at minimum.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Aug. 17, 2006
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