OREANDA-NEWS. On October 7, Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant started mass production of renewed UAZ PATRIOT cars. Symbolically, the first three PATRIOT SUVs rolled off the assembly line painted in three colors of the Russian flag.

The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov, Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Volga Federal District Mikhail Babich, Governor of the Ulyanovsk region Sergey Morozov, who together have officially launched the new line for assembling the vehicle bodies and thereby started the serial production of renewed UAZ PATRIOT.

The main goal of transformations at UAZ is to improve the production efficiency and reduce costs. The development of industrial site provides for an extensive action plan to modernize the production and product line, as well as to optimize the use of UAZ production areas.

In February this year, the plant has put into operation a new production line for preparation and cataphoresis priming of vehicle bodies manufactured by EISENMANN Anlagenbau GmbH & Co, a German company.

Another innovation is the modernization of a large stamping facility. The installation of a new stamping line will allow producing the parts for modern Patriot cars up until 2020. UAZ is planning to install and assemble a new press line, which will allow to produce components for the new model range in accordance with the latest automotive standards - e.g. to stamp the full-sized body side.

A single assembly and logistics facility with the surface area of 25,000 m 2 began to operate at the plant. For this purpose, at the beginning of the year, all warehousing premises have been reorganized and concentrated around the assembly lines, which allowed organizing efficient logistics, store inventories, record and move goods and materials to workstations.

The new assembly line allowed making the logistics even more efficient, as it has been constructed to replace the old one located on the second floor of the distant facility. Its length has been doubled; the arrangement of assembly operations was changed, while the assembly tools and the equipment of work places allowed facilitating the activities of workers and reducing the labor intensity of assembling the vehicle body.

According to Vadim Shvetsov, General Director of SOLLERS OJSC and UAZ OJSC, the modernization of production and personnel training will allow to manufacture qualitatively new cars of PATRIOT family and ensure the leading positions in the domestic automotive market.

The main features of updated UAZ PATRIOT are its stylish design and an extensive range of comfort options that will allow meeting in the best way the needs for a wide range of buyers.

The design of new-generation PATRIOT reflects its "power and reliability" as well as "versatility and comfort." The new grille made in V-shaped style and modern headlights with LED daytime running lights provide the car with a distinctive appearance. The folding mirrors painted in the same color as the body and provided with LED repeaters, as well as enlarged fog lights and additional brake light(LED) make the car visible in the traffic. To improve its consumer characteristics, the new car uses adhesive-bonded windshield and windows. With the fixture of the front and rear bumpers to the body, the car has acquired harmonious and holistic appearance.

Renewed UAZ PATRIOT got new integrated side steps with volume niches that are not damaged during off-road driving.

The rear of the car has been noticeably transformed by installing a new spare wheel container with a silver "PATRIOT" sign and modern taillights.

The updated UAZ PATRIOT was provided with rear anti-roll bar that allows dealing effectively with body rolls during turns and maneuvering, which contributes to better driving stability at high speeds.

Another change in the new generation of UAZ PATRIOT cars is the use of maintenance-free drive shafts with extended life, which allow the owner to lower the costs of planned maintenance.

The interior of new car has become modern and comfortable. The inner space of UAZ PATRIOT represents a spacious interior made of high-quality materials with the necessary set of features, including a modern entertainment system with 7-inch touch screen for Full HD video playback, AM/FM/MP3, USB/AUX ports, 4 speakers, compass, parking sensors with rear view camera, Navitel navigation system that covers Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. The display of multimedia system provides excellent readability and wide viewing angle, which also allows the front passenger the follow the indications. In addition, the modern interior includes a new dashboard with outdoor temperature sensor, trip computer, new ceiling lamps with "gentle light" feature.

New UAZ PATRIOT is available with 16- and 18-inch wheels.

Another option is programmable pre-heater. In addition, the rear-seat passengers are provided with a second interior heater featuring separate fan and adjustable deflectors, which allows maintaining an even temperature or creating individual micro-climate for rear-seat passengers.

The extended range of longitudinal displacement, continuously adjustable backrest and lumbar support, as well as height adjustable driver seat will allow the driver of any body type to fit in with comfort. In addition, the backrests of front seats can be expanded further back to form a sleeper in combination with the rear seats.

The increase of space for rear-seat passengers by 8 cm and installation of L-shaped folding head restraints on the rear seat improved the visibility and comfort. The rear seats are equipped with secure attachment for ISOFIX child seats.

The petrol and diesel engines, which can be installed on all versions of the model, have the power and impressively high torque even at low revs. This allows the updated UAZ PATRIOT to confidently start moving on country roads as well as to feel comfortable in the city.

The price for updated UAZ PATRIOT with petrol engine starts at 649,000 rubles and with diesel engine - at 719,990 rubles.

In addition, there are preferential terms under UAZ fleet renewal program applicable to purchasing the new generation of UAZ cars while disposing any used vehicle (of any age and any brand) or under the trade-in program. The program will be in place until December 31, 2014.

In November, 2014, each consumer will be able to appreciate all updates made to UAZ Patriot as it will be in this period that the cars will become available for sale in the official dealerships throughout Russia.

""We are confident in the success of a new car. New UAZ PATRIOT is the first Russian SUV, which in terms of design, expressive appearance, high-quality interior trim, availability of comfort options and comfortable driving matches its European counterparts while retaining its main advantages, such as the legendary off-road capability and exceptional spaciousness. At the same time, we have determined its price with the Russian motorists in mind by making it affordable for buyers. We expect that this new car will attract a new audience to the model and the brand in general", said Vadim Shvetsov, General Director of UAZ OJSC.