06-26-2004, 06:00 PM
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| Member  Join Date: May 2004 Location: texas
Posts: 53
|  Hummers Roll Out of Russian Factory
Hummers Roll Out of Russian Factory By Kevin O'Flynn Staff Writer Bloomberg The Russian H2 will start at $86,050, almost double the price in the United States. KALININGRAD -- Russia's soccer pros may have failed on the field, but as the domestically produced Hummer H2 rolls off the assembly line, they can still join the ranks of Europe's best players. Production of the muscular four-ton off-road vehicle -- favored by England's David Beckham and France's Fabian Barthez -- was launched Thursday in Kaliningrad, the result of a $78 million joint venture between General Motors and Avtotor, which assembles cars for BMW and KIA Motors in the exclave. "Russia is one of the most important growth markets in the world already," said Jonathan Browning, vice president of GM Europe. "I wish every vehicle a kind owner. And may they use it for peaceful means," said Kaliningrad Governor Vladimir Yegorov, making a reference to the car's original design as a U.S. Army vehicle. Yegorov was joined by a Russian Orthodox priest, who blessed the factory. Fifty-eight Hummers have already been assembled at the plant outside Kaliningrad city. The factory plans to produce 200 by the end of the year, with 300 to 400 slated annually for the duration of the three-year contract. The contract is expected to be renewed for another three years, though either side can give six months' notice to withdraw from the deal, Avtotor chairman Vladimir Shcherbakov said. Output could be cranked up to 1,500 per year if demand increases. The Hummer H2 will go on sale for between $86,000 and $94,000 depending on options. The basic model starts at $86,050, almost twice as much as in the United States. In Europe prices ranges from $90,000 to $110,000. The Hummers will be sold at five official GM dealers in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg. GM and Avtotor are counting on high demand among the country's nouveau riche. An estimated 300 Hummers are already imported on the gray market every year, a GM official said. GM and Avtotor agreed to produce the Hummer last August. If the Hummer cooperation works well, there is talk of assembling Chevrolet's TrailBlazer and Tahoe, though GM officials were quick to downplay it. General Motors has partnership with AvtoVAZ in producing the Chevy Niva, the off-road vehicle for the more budget-minded. "We think there is a bright future for General Motors in the Russian market. ... We have plenty of options to carry on from here," Browning said. "We will make decisions in the future." Yegorov said he took an H2 out for a test drive with Emergency Situations Minister Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday. The governor borrowed the car from a private individual, he said. Asked if his administration would buy one, Yegorov said, "There is no money in the budget." http://www.moscowtimes.ru/stories/2004/06/25/042.html
__________________ It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.~ Emiliano Zapata |
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06-26-2004, 06:09 PM
| #2 |
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The H2 is just a jazzed up Suburban. Save your money, Comrade.
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06-26-2004, 09:05 PM
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| Guest Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: somerset, kentucky
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06-27-2004, 07:08 AM
| #6 |
| Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Texas
Posts: 1,882
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Mmmmmmmmmmmmeeeeerrrrrrrr ahhhhhhhhhh
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