General Motors and Asia AVTO Expand Cooperation

Jim Bovenzi, president and managing director of GM Russia and CIS, and Anatoly Balushkin, chairman of Asia Avto, signed a memorandum of understanding for the further development of the partnership between the two automakers in order to strengthen Chevrolet's position in the Kazakhstan market. It extends the relationship between the two automakers, which began working together in 2007.

Six Chevrolet models are currently produced at Asia Avto’s plant in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan. In the fourth quarter of 2011, Kazakhstan's largest passenger car manufacturer will begin regular production of three new Chevrolet products: the Cruze hatchback, new Captiva and seven-seat Orlando. The aim is to increase annual production of Chevrolet vehicles in Kazakhstan to 10,000 units.

Leaders of the companies expressed confidence that the new models and the strong demand for vehicles will facilitate Chevrolet sales growth in the local market. Chevrolet sales in Kazakhstan increased 2.3 times in the January-July period. The Chevrolet Aveo is number one in the small car segment and the Chevrolet Cruze is one of the best-selling products in the C-class segment.