Russian motorvehicle firms to return to Vietnam
HANOI - Russian auto makers are seeking a foothold in Vietnam, after
an absence of more than a decade. Gaz, Russia's leading car maker, had
a presence here for years and now wants to buy back into the action.
Russian truck maker Kamaz is even planning to establish production
facilities here. The firm's Sadko 3308 light truck and Gazel minibus were
recently on display at the Autopetro'01 trade show.
The firm's Volga sedan and Gaz 66 light truck used to be well-known
with Vietnamese consumers. Gaz, which manufactures in Kirghizia,
Belarus and Mondova, turns out 200,000 units a year and is now looking
for business partners and outlets in Vietnam.
The cars are selling well in Russia, South America, Southeast Asia, Iraq,
Iran and Turkey. "We see Vietnam as an attractive export market," a
company spokesman said.
Kamaz already has six sales outlets in Vietnam and now plans to set up
production facilities, said Nafis S Mouatafin, the firm's deputy director in
charge of exports. Its plans will be on the agenda of the Russia-Vietnam
Inter-Governmental Meeting in December of this year.
Kamaz has produced 26,000 heavy trucks and 50,000 Oka cars this
year. Some 1,500 of the trucks have been sold in Vietnam, double last
year's sales.
Both firms say they are determined to return to Vietnam, not only
because of the strong relations between the two nations but because they
have confidence in their products.
Asia Times - November 8, 2001.
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