The Chevrolet Niva 2 project was launched long before the financial crisis of 2014. However, we still have not seen a novelty with a golden cross of Louis Chevrolet. On Moscow international motor show in August 2014, the Chevrolet booth attracted great attention- here flaunted conceptual SUV Niva 2. The car was carefully packed in an off-road body kit. He was "shod" in "toothy" tires, equipped with a winch and exuded a bluish light beating from diode headlights and additional lamps on the roof.
Exactly one year later, the project was first recognized as failed. Will we ever see new Niva - big question, in which RIA Novosti understood.
Work on new generation The brainchild of the GM-AvtoVAZ joint venture began, presumably, in 2010. Then the company's management chose the contractor Italian company BLUE Group Engineering & Design. She took responsibility for creating not only the appearance of the car, but also its design.
While the first concept was being prepared, the media spread truthful and not very data about it. Czech Ondrej Koromaz, an employee of the Chinese division, was officially announced as the author of the design. General Motors and the creator of the appearance of "charged" Chevrolet Aveo RS sample 2010.
He provided the prototype with short overhangs and sloping bumpers for better cross. Made the body almost 30 centimeters longer Chevrolet Niva current generation, bringing the dimensions of the concept closer to the main competitor - Renault Duster.
Then they talked about automatic box gears and a new 1.8-liter petrol engine, which PSA concern Peugeot Citroen produced for Chinese market. Back in 2002, imported engines were supposed to be installed on the first Chevy Niva in the export version. However, beyond the version of Niva FAM-1 c Opel engine 1.8, released in negligible quantities (about a thousand pieces), things did not work out.
In general, the project looked viable from any angle, the first cars were supposed to roll off the new assembly line at the beginning of 2017. The only thing missing was the money that was planned to be borrowed under state guarantees. And then the crisis struck.
Immediately after the 2014 auto show, the Russian ruble began its epic fall and new car sales for everyone declined. Concern General Motors could not resist the first, announcing in March 2015 the reorganization of business in Russia. Brand Opel completely left the market. From Chevrolet remained only true american models like Tahoe. GM factories near St. Petersburg were closed. GM-AvtoVAZ continued to live its own life and generate new rumors around itself.
The first alarm bell sounded in March 2015. joint venture Americans and Russians in Togliatti suspends the construction of a plant where Niva 2 was supposed to be produced. The project was frozen. This decision was made by the head of AvtoVAZ Bo Andersson and the head of the joint venture GM-AvtoVAZ Romuald Rytvinsky.
Reasons for freezing work on Niva 2
Firstly, the $200 million pledged for the Chevrolet Niva 2 project was no longer enough. It took twice or even three times as much.
Secondly, there was no need to wait for help from the Volga Automobile Plant, because for it the new Niva is a direct competitor own development Lada 4×4 next generation. It was even rumored that the bankruptcy of the joint venture was beneficial to AvtoVAZ. Although there was another opinion. The project is completely ready and able to bring profit to both owners of the joint venture. Since the facilities of VAZ were to produce bodies and engines. And talk about Peugeot engines no longer went.
positive news
For more than a year, nothing was heard about the new Chevrolet Niva, except for the assumptions of various media. And like a bolt from the blue the statement of the governor of the Samara region Nikolai Merkushin sounded. The government was instructed to consider options for supporting the project of a new SUV with a loan of 12-14 billion rubles.
For comparison, according to the latest data, the state intends to allocate 12.4 billion rubles for the Cortege project, which is being developed from scratch.
It is also interesting that the pre-crisis plans for the production of 120,000 cars a year and a production volume worth 100 billion rubles have not changed. Although Russian market of new cars continued to shrink rapidly.
Negative actions
This gave rise to even more rumors, but none of the major banks approved the loan. In January 2017, news agencies disseminated information that the Ministry of Industry and Trade was ready to provide state guarantees to GM-AvtoVAZ for the implementation of the Chevrolet Niva project. The positive conclusion was allegedly sent to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. Sberbank was called the lender. The costs were estimated at 21.5 billion rubles.
Last on this moment the meeting between Nikolai Merkushin and the management of the joint venture took place in May 2017. Then the financial director of GM-AvtoVAZ, Dmitry Sobolev, assured that the business plan was ready, the level of investment had been determined. The governor said that AvtoVAZ generally supported the project. As well as the Ministry of Industry and Technology of the Samara Region, which lobbied in every possible way to launch the production of a new car.
“With the new machine, they will take a long step forward and, according to experts, they will be five years ahead of competitors in their segment,” said Merkushin.
Two days later, GM-AvtoVAZ stopped the conveyor: Avtocomponent Plant LLC suddenly stopped supplying components for the current generation Chevrolet Niva. No one received the long-awaited loan. Merkushin was replaced as governor by Dmitry Azarov.
Forgot to renew the patent for Niva 2
At the end of January 2018, it became known from the Rospatent database that GM-AvtoVAZ did not renew the patents for the Chevrolet Niva 2. The joint venture had to pay the state duty on August 26 last year, but for some reason did not.
Many are interested in the question of when it will be on sale new Chevrolet Niva 2nd generation. New Chevrolet car Niva company GM-AvtoVAZ showed at the end of August 2014 at the Moscow car showroom. The unusual design of the second generation Shnivy attracted the attention of many visitors to the showroom.
The SUV turned out really nice. Of course, there is some resemblance to previous model present, but a pronounced brutal appearance does not confuse different generations machines of the same model.
Often this happens when a new generation of a model comes out, with minor changes in the grille or optics. With an inexperienced look, you can’t immediately determine what is in front of you. new model auto. Here, another case. Chevrolet Niva 2nd generation is fundamentally different from its predecessor.
After the successful demonstration of the GM concept, AvtoVAZ began the construction of new workshops, which were intended for the production of the new Shniva. The head of the company promised that the new Chevrolet Niva will enter the market in mid-2016.
But, in 2015, due to the changed situation in the market Company General Motors decided to curtail the production of cars at its plant in St. Petersburg and stop sales Opel cars and Chevrolet. An exception was made for the Chevrolet Niva, whose production was not stopped. GM considered it unprofitable to invest in the production of a new SUV model.
But, not everything is so hopeless. The Ministry of Industry of the Samara Region became interested in the project and volunteered to assist in the launch of a new production facility. The Ministry published a declaration for 2016, from which it follows that the work on the launch in mass production new Chevrolet Niva will continue. It's a small matter, you need money. To launch an SUV in a series, you need to find almost 11 billion rubles.
Let's hope that the necessary funds will be found and the new Chevrolet Niva will go on sale in the very near future.
The price of the current version of the Chevrolet Niva starts from 555,000 rubles.
Niva Chevrolet 2018 model year in a new body is nothing more than the second generation of the sensational Russian SUV, which is about to enter mass production and appear in showrooms official dealer. It's not just about cosmetic restyling - compact crossover will get absolutely new body, which is fundamentally different from what Niva's fans are used to seeing. The interior will also undergo a radical overhaul. Well, the SUV will be driven by forced power units, coupled with improved gearboxes. How much all this will cost is still an open question, since official data on trim levels and prices have not yet been published on official sources.
In fact, the Chevrolet company is a primordially American brand, respectively, the main branches of the famous automobile concern located in the United States. Despite this, the Niva in a new body, like its predecessor, has absolutely nothing to do with the classic concept of brutal american cars: yes, the 2018 version of the model year will look quite bold and brutal, especially when compared with the first generation - but this is where its commitment to the traditions of the foreign auto industry ends.
The assembly of this model, as before, will be carried out in Russian Federation, because the main task facing engineers is to keep positions in the top sales for domestic market, where the first generation of the SUV has been confidently leading in its segment over the past few years. Manufacturers assure that impenetrable road surfaces will become the element of their new offspring - the future owners will definitely not have to limit themselves in their movements, referring to the terrain.
Niva Chevrolet 2018 photo
Exterior
The fact that the differences between the Niva Chevrolet 2018 model year in a new body from previous version are so significant that a simple layman who does not understand cars is unlikely to understand that these are two representatives of one model range has already been mentioned several times. There are many reasons for this, and the first of them, which catches the eye the most, is the general angularity of most body elements. Such a decision might not be very appropriate if it were a question of sports sedan or about a hot hatchback, but for midsize SUV With cross-country ability it is more than acceptable. Due to this, the dimensions of the SUV seem larger than they actually are - similar effect visual increase definitely deserves the most flattering words addressed to the company's designers.
The front bumper from two small horizontal stripes with branding in the middle turned into a huge chrome grille, consisting of many elements. However, the radiator is not the only thing that will be protected by the grill in the new Chevrolet Niva body - all optics will receive the same protection, except fog lights. This is part of a special road body kit that will also include a skid plate for the engine at suspension level and an additional luggage compartment equipped with beacons, above.
By the way, about the headlights - they seem to finally get a full-fledged LED filling and shine with a completely different light. Their shape has also changed - instead of the archaic similarities of wall lamps of the 90s of the last century, they will be represented by thoroughly narrowed and widened stripes, emphasizing the line of the bumper and continuing it up to the front fenders. Whether the equipment of the headlights will depend on the configuration and whether the LED version implies a higher price is still unknown.
Do not recognize the novelty on the side either: a tapering line of side windows, branded wheel disks, molded in a new style, modified rear-view mirrors, completely different turn signal repeaters, as well as more convenient handles on door cards ah, they significantly transformed the Niva of the 2018 model year.
At the back, the updated SUV immediately stands out with a strict body kit and lamps of a rather unusual and interesting shape. An additional light signal is now also placed under rear window, which, by the way, although it was somewhat narrowed, did not in any way limit visibility for the driver and passengers in its new form.
The interior of the new Chevrolet Niva 2018 model year has also changed beyond recognition, but unlike the exterior, it is hardly possible to call it at least a little impressive, if we focus on the standards of the present. Yes, the salon no longer makes references to the 80s of the previous century, which was typical of the first generation of the crossover - but the language will not turn to call it modern either. The reason for this is the abundance of low-quality materials for finishing the inside of door cards, seats and car panels. And if the problem with the fabric upholstery of the seats is solved elementarily - more expensive configurations, then it is unlikely that anything will save potential buyers from the cheap likeness of aluminum and hard explosive plastic.
But not to hear the noise coming from the engine, as well as other sounds coming from outside the cabin, will help improved sound insulation. The instrument panel has become definitely more informative, which, in addition to everything else, has been expanded in three wells for displaying additional indicators, located right in the middle of the front torpedo.
The multimedia unit, which will be available for a higher price in a luxury package, will boast high resolution display, great-sounding stereo system and GPS navigation coupled with connectivity features mobile device as a headset and speakerphone. However, the reliability of the latest data is still very relative, since the developers at the exhibitions presented only a version with an ordinary radio tape recorder with a monochrome analog screen.
In the new body, the Niva Chevrolet 2018 model year will also get a new three-spoke steering wheel, but auxiliary buttons will not be placed on it - apparently, this decision was made by the designers for the sake of style.
Characteristics Niva Chevrolet 2018
Looking at the first photos of the Chevrolet Niva concept car in a new body, most motorists and independent experts were not sure that it was in this form that the mass production of the crossover would be carried out - after all, compared to the frankly pensioner and boring version of 2002 and its restyling, even if judging by the standards of those times, the second generation looks almost intimidating, in the good sense of the word. However, this is exactly what the novelty will look like on final stage assembly and when placed on stands at dealer points of sale.
A sample of the 2018 model year has already been repeatedly shown to the press, but there is still not much information about the Chevrolet Niva in a new body. Despite the fact that its release was tentatively scheduled for the 1st quarter of this year, due to the need for some improvements, it is delayed for indefinite term. In this regard, even the representatives of the developer company themselves operate only with conditional indicators when it comes to specific characteristics, division into configurations and prices for each version.
Dimensions
No matter how paradoxical it may sound, the dimensions of the first and second bodies of the Chevrolet Niva will be almost identical. How engineers and designers managed to make such an outwardly impressive SUV, which, although it belongs to the compact category, looks quite full-sized, similar in size to the modest version of 2002-2016, is still unclear.
And yet, some changes in terms of dimensions will affect the copy of the 2018 model year. The following values have been preliminarily announced:
- Length - 4316 mm;
- Width - 1780 mm (2130 mm with rear-view mirrors);
- Height - 1660 mm;
- Wheelbase - 2450 mm;
- Front track width - 1466 mm;
- Rear track width - 1456 mm;
In the new Chevrolet Niva body, it was decided to get rid of the wheels of the 15th radius - now even in basic configuration buyers will get a car equipped with much more impressive R16s, which will be measured in 215/65.
The ground clearance of the second generation of the crossover seems to be much higher than that of its predecessor – and for good reason, because the ground clearance of the new product reaches a height of as much as 220 mm.
Specifications
Representatives of Chevrolet in the Russian Federation reported that the new Niva 2018 model year will be equipped with only 5-speed gearboxes, regardless of which version we are talking about: mechanical transmission or automatic transmission. Transfer case will also remain two-stage. This means that in part technical equipment and comfortable ride Niva Chevrolet in a new body is still significantly inferior to foreign counterparts.
And here's the news about complete failure from a 1.7-liter 80-horsepower power unit and its replacement with a more powerful and resourceful 4-cylinder Gas engine volume of 1.8 liters, issuing 135 hp. and 170 Nm of torque, future car owners will undoubtedly please.
In the near future, manufacturers plan to switch to the production of exclusively all-wheel drive crossovers Chevrolet Niva and abandon obsolete technology front wheel drive even in the basic package. They also promise that such changes will not affect prices at all.
Options and prices
Information from the developers regarding the division of the Chevrolet Niva in the new body of the 2018 model year on the configuration in accordance with the level of equipment has not yet been received. It is possible that they themselves are afraid that the final version of the car, which will go into mass production, will differ from the concept car. which they have been exhibiting at exhibition stands during presentations over the past few years. This has already been repeatedly observed for the products of AvtoVAZ - it is enough to recall the story of how the X-Ray SUV was originally presented, and in what form it left the assembly line, and how much journalists and buyers were disappointed.
Analysts' forecasts for prices are still optimistic - according to their calculations, potential buyers basic version it is necessary to focus on the price of 550-700 thousand rubles, and a copy equipped with all possible options will cost about 1 million rubles. For fans of the series, this is great news, and for direct competitors, this is another challenge and a reason to worry about upgrading their cars.
Advantages and disadvantages
While LADA continues to incur losses after the release of X-Ray, its GM division is preparing to release a car that can completely outshine the company's unsuccessful brainchild and increase the reputation of developers among representatives automotive press, independent experts and ordinary consumers - Chevrolet Niva 2018 model year in a new body. Fans of the series are in limbo - after all, the novelty has been announced for many years now, and data on trim levels and prices are still not available. Nevertheless, they hope that in the 4th quarter of this year, the novelty will finally appear in the showrooms of the official dealer.
Niva Chevrolet 2018 video review
For several years now, GM-AVTOVAZ has been working on a project for a new, improved Chevrolet Niva-2 off-road vehicle. Development work was stopped more than once, but then resumed again. The start of sales of the car has been repeatedly postponed. He was expected at the beginning of this year, but in February it became known that the project was suspended. Many are wondering: will the world see a new Niva?
For more than 15 years, our AvtoVAZ has been successfully cooperating with the American corporation General Motors. The joint venture is called ZAO GM-AVTOVAZ. It is located in the city of Tolyatti, Samara region. Niva Chevrolet cars have been on the market since 2002.
The first version of the car of this brand has established itself as a comfortable and compact SUV. Currently, the production of cars is 95,000 models per year. Chevrolet Niva is an example of a unique product in terms of price-quality ratio. It is a success with buyers and from year to year maintains its position in this market segment.
Chevrolet Niva-2 was supposed to be an ideal continuation of the development of off-road vehicles. In 2013, GM-AVTOVAZ began expanding production: new plant buildings, a logistics center and a production laboratory were erected in Togliatti.
The concept version of the new SUV was shown in 2014. The presentation took place in one of the car dealerships in Moscow. The Chevrolet Niva prototype evoked positive feedback from visitors. Fans and car enthusiasts were looking forward to the release and sales of the car. And it's completely justified!
The developers have made the new "Niva" more massive, but at the same time stylish and modern. It is a wonderful symbiosis of traditional qualities, for which we all love this car so much, and new opportunities for those who love comfort and thoughtfulness of every detail.
The body has changed. Engineers worked on it for a very long time. One of those who developed the concept was Ondreya Koromaz, an ex-employee of General Motors. The SUV has spare wheel on the roof, a row of four spotlights, a winch on front bumper, snorkel and, importantly, an overhang for greater cross-country ability.
At dashboard functionality will expand in the cabin. She has a console that will display data from on-board computer. On it are also the keys for controlling the air conditioner and the stove.
Increased comfort awaits not only the driver, but also all passengers in the cabin. A cozy atmosphere will be created by turquoise LED lights. Sofas for second-row passengers will also become more comfortable. Finishing structural elements The interior of the car is made of expensive materials, including fabric, wood, and even leather. Steering wheel made of durable plastic, it does not provide extra keys for controllability. The rear row of seats is equipped with handles, you can instantly fold the seats to increase the volume of the trunk.
« Niva » in a new body is called a medium-sized SUV. Thanks to the system all-wheel drive and a compact wheelbase greatly increased cross-country ability.
The dimensions of the car are:
- Width 177.0 cm.
- Height 165.2 cm.
- Wheelbase 245.0 cm.
Ground clearance has increased to 20 cm, and the weight of the car as a whole has decreased to 1410 kg.
Thanks to the introduction of steel and aluminum trim, it was possible to reduce the curb weight of the car. Again, a plus for patency.
Trunk capacity - 320 liters. Concerning power units, then a single 1.7-liter petrol engine is provided. The force will then be 80 Horse power. Gearbox - 5 steps.
It was expected that the price of the car will not exceed 1 million rubles. The final price would depend on the configuration. According to the creators, there are only five of them.
Obviously, this project would be a success in the market. But, unfortunately, at the development stage has undergone many difficulties. The plans were to start production of cars at the beginning of 2017, but in 2015 construction and design were suspended. The main reason for the delay Exit Chevrolet Niva 2 has become a crisis in the market. GM-AVTOVAZ was looking for funding for the release of new items, and last year the Russian government considered the option of providing 10 billion rubles for this project. The government of the Samara region also wanted to save the situation.
In addition, it became known that last year the documents for the car published in the Rospatent database expired. At the same time, the American-Russian company extended the patent for the current generation of Shnivy.
There was no official confirmation of the closure of the Chevrolet Niva 2 project from GM-AvtoVAZ, as well as no official details regarding its development to serial version. Let's hope that the SUV will still be put into production!
At the end of January, auto news feeds rinsed the topic of the new Chevy Niva on a special scale. Insider reports thawed it out (“The government approved the loan!”), And official denials immediately froze it again: there is still no money yet. The decision to give state guarantees for the project was announced as already taken, but no one saw it in the end. Coordinations went on and on - but did not come anywhere. Well, and so on.
Behind everything behind it a little lost one pretty important question: what is a Chevy Niva of the winter 2017 model after two years of “freezing” and who needs it? Let's try to answer, but first a few formalities for the protocol.
Financing of the Chevrolet Niva-2 project is now in the hands of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Economic Development: they must decide whether or not to provide GM-AvtoVAZ with state guarantees on a loan that Sberbank is ready to issue. Therefore, when there were reports that the Ministry of Industry and Trade in correspondence with the Ministry of Economic Development issued a positive opinion on such state guarantees, a wave of optimistic headlines immediately rose: “Money has been found for the production of Chevy Niva!”.
Meanwhile, a day later, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, through the media, denied the existence of " final decision about state support”, and our direct request for a positive resolution signed by Deputy Minister Alexander Morozov was evasively answered by the press service of the ministry: “The decision to provide state guarantees is made not by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia, but by the Government of the Russian Federation. At the moment, the Government of the Russian Federation has not made any decisions regarding GM-AvtoVAZ.” The Ministry of Economic Development was more frank: yes, there was a correspondence on this topic, a positive conclusion was received from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The issue is being worked on. But at the moment, state guarantees are not provided.
The GM-AvtoVAZ joint venture itself was stingy with information: “The decision to finance the project has not yet been made. We are negotiating this issue with Sberbank and are waiting for a decision on the provision of state guarantees, which are necessary to obtain a loan for the project. To date, the project is financed at the expense of the joint venture's own funds.
In the dry official balance, something like: oh, leave me alone, nothing has been decided yet!
2014 Chevrolet Niva Concept
According to our information, the Chevrolet Niva-2 project really continues to hang, but the reason for this is not so much the lack of necessary funds how much uncertainty is the position of AvtoVAZ. After all, the vazovtsy themselves have been preparing for a long time similar car, known as Lada 4x4 New Generation (or Niva-3), whose debut has been rescheduled for 2019. Of course, this car does not need a direct competitor in a very narrow market niche. But, being a 50% co-owner of a joint venture with the General Motors concern, AvtoVAZ cannot and should not openly sabotage the appearance of the Chevy Niva-2 - so it does it covertly, through ostentatious indifference to the project and complete inactivity in seeking co-financing.
There is an opinion that AvtoVAZ's game with GM is a strategic game aimed at buying out the American share in the joint venture along with the rights to a new model, which will become the real Niva-3, and the current sluggish work on its own model is carried out more by inertia, just in case. That is why there are no significant successes. Vazovskaya Niva-3 will most likely move to another platform, according to official information the basis for it has not yet been chosen, but according to unconfirmed reports, it will most likely be a platform crossover Renault Duster second generation. AvtoVAZ managers interviewed by us are sure that the plant does not have any strategy regarding the joint venture at all! Yes, the appearance of a competitor is undesirable, but no one really believes in him, everyone is waiting for the joint venture to die naturally, due to lack of competitiveness old model and the inability to release a new one. But now participation in a joint venture with GM brings AvtoVAZ a stable cash flow as a supplier of main components and assemblies, so no one will deliberately cut this chicken.
Moreover, AvtoVAZ takes part in the Chevy Niva-2 project with technical side. For example, by order of GM-AvtoVAZ, VAZ employees adapted for new car its motor 1.8, in the version for the longitudinal arrangement, it received the designation VAZ-2199. This is practically an approved option, with any imported engine the new Chevy Niva goes beyond a reasonable price.
Patent image of the new Chevy Niva
But there is no final decision on the transmission. AvtoVAZ has a modernized "classic" box with an index of 2124, made for Niva-3, but it does not yet hold the necessary loads (now it is being tested). The transfer case is also the essence of an old, but shamanic three-bearing unit from Niva-2123, which was fine-tuned for noise and vibration at the Swedish company Vicura.
GM-AvtoVAZ insists on cable drive shifting mechanism and direct docking of the gearbox with the “razdatka”, without an intermediate shaft. VAZ units, prepared for Niva-3, are conceptually different, the shift lever there is located directly on the gearbox housing, and the moment is transmitted to the "razdatka" through the intermediate shaft. Naturally, no one will make a gearbox and a “razdatka” for GM in strict accordance with the “Wishlist”, but the joint venture has no money for this. Therefore, AvtoVAZ is sure: they will take what we offer.
But GM is looking alternative options. In particular, the idea of using a gas transmission from the Gazelle has not yet died, only with a modified crankcase so that it fits in the body of the new Chevy Niva. However, the last contacts on this topic with Nizhny Novgorod residents date back to June 2016. ZF is also mentioned in conversations, but this option is unlikely to come at a price. And by automatic transmission there is even less certainty: some time ago it was planned to use the Punch VT4 variator, but it is obvious that there will not be enough strength to localize it in Tolyatti, and it is expensive to purchase it.
Why are there units ... GM-AvtoVAZ does not even know yet where the production of bodies will be organized! Resuming the construction of a separate building in the Togliatti SEZ is long, expensive and legally difficult, the dispute with the former contractor has not yet been resolved there. The joint venture has an idle 30th building, but there is not enough space for organizing a full-fledged welding line. But you will also need a warehouse.
Patent and image of the new Chevy Niva
In May last year, AvtoVAZ made a proposal to locate body production in the building of the abolished OPP, but then he himself withdrew this proposal. Now, according to some information, they want to offer the 62nd VAZ Corps for this role, from where the production of the first generation Lada 4x4 was recently withdrawn. In the meantime, welding equipment and part of the tooling, already at the disposal of GM-AvtoVAZ, is by no means getting younger and will soon require major preventive maintenance.
AvtoVAZ, as a co-owner of the joint venture, is emphatically distancing itself from financial problems with the launch of the Chevy Niva-2, but does not create active obstacles to the project and is not even averse to capitalizing on the stalemate of the American side. But - moderately, without bending under other people's technical specifications. A sort of mixture of egocentrism and intoxication with omnipotence. Elephant's look at small mouse fuss.
But the irony is that GM itself took a similar position in 2012, when it announced that the new generation car would be developed and produced independently, without the help of AvtoVAZ. Unofficially, the GM-AvtoVAZ joint venture explained this as follows: “We are tired of the disgusting quality of VAZ components and difficult relationships with such a co-shareholder, so we will build our own bodywork and localize the assembly of imported units in Togliatti - ourselves, with our own money.”
It was a demarche, although officially the parties continued to smile at each other. The market was growing, the ruble was getting stronger, and the planned $200 million seemed to be enough for everything. It wasn't enough. And the risks of a technological “divorce” with AvtoVAZ were not fully calculated. Therefore, Chevy Niva, in fact, was held hostage by her own parents.
GM is now trying, by analogy with AvtoVAZ itself, to use an administrative resource (the project of the new Chevy Niva is personally supported by the governor of the Samara region Nikolai Merkushkin), dreams of receiving the state guarantee on a loan from Sberbank already promised at the very top - and, most likely, will receive it. But in the end, alas, a car woven from compromises may appear.
True, even such a Chevrolet Niva-2 should have a steady demand in the market of "brutal SUVs", because it will remain the only domestic (read - affordable) car in this class. Crossover Lada 4x4 New Generation is already designed for several other consumers, not those who knead the mud through the forests. The only question is whether there will be enough such narrow niche buyers to pay off the project. After all, even if production is carried out according to the cheapest option, with the placement of a welding complex on its own territory, the break-even point, according to an unofficial estimate of the jiemites themselves, is unlikely to be below the mark of 50 thousand cars a year.
