OREANDA-NEWS. On 28 July 2008 was announced, that the GAZ Group launched the serial production of its new car, the Volga Siber. The Company's production facilities are capable of manufacturing up to 100,000 cars per annum. The new car will be avaialble from September 1 in 12 Russian regions through the Company's 68 dealers, which meet the relevant international standards in sales and services.

Russian Federation Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visited the car plant on the eve of the production start and took the new car on a test drvie. "It takes off fast and they've increased the clearance. It will be fine for our roads," he said. After seeing the main 300-metre conveyor belt, which utilises a modern overhead assembly line, the Prime Minister highlighted the quality control system which has been introduced at all stages of the car's creation and production.

"Today we have launched a project which will open up a new phase in Russia's car manufacturing industry," said Sergey Zanozin, Chairman of the GAZ Group, speaking at the opening ceremony. "The GAZ Group has started to produce a new line of cars under the Volga brand on platforms from the world's leading manufacturers. The new production complex has the flexible capacity needed to bring new models into production at minimal cost and investment in the future."

The Siber model is based on a platform acquired from the American corporation Chrysler and was designed by the leading British studio UltraMotive, which took into account the latest trends in modern car design. The Siber is fully adapted to Russia's roads and harsh winter conditions. The Siber platform has a stiffer suspension and increased ground clearance compared with the original platform.

Production of a pilot series of the Volga Siber began in spring 2008. The test vehicles underwent trials at the GAZ Group's engineering centre and specialised car magazines, and were also put through their paces by corporate customers and employees. Engineers and specialists from the Canadian company Magna International played an active role in the installation and fine tuning of the assembly line, as well as in the training of GAZ Group employees.