On March 18, 2015 the GM concern announced restructuring of a business model in Russia. In particular, by the end of the year the Russian market will leave Opel brand and most Chevrolet models except for the expensive Corvette, Camaro and Tahoe... But what about the new Niva?
The precarious position of the new Niva
Starting from 2016, GM will be represented on the Russian market exclusively by the premium Cadillac brand and fashion models. Chevrolet Corvette, Camaro and Tahoe. The decision would allow the company to "avoid major investment in a market with an uncertain long-term outlook," GM President Dan Ammann said in a statement. GM official announcement. For the same reason, the GM plant in St. Petersburg will be mothballed by June 2015, contract manufacturing for GM orders at GAZ in Nizhny Novgorod will cease within a year, and cooperation with Avtotor in Kaliningrad, to which the American company ordered the production of its cars, has already been completed.
But there is still joint venture GM-AVTOVAZ and its plant under construction in Tolyatti, which was supposed to produce Chevrolet SUV Niva new generation with an initial market launch date of early 2016. A few days before the company's official announcement of a change in business model, information appeared about the suspension of the construction of the plant due to a conflict with the general contractor.
History of the conflict
The project of building a new GM-AVTOVAZ plant and launching a new model is in a fever not for the first time. We can say that the current situation and what preceded it are links in the same chain. It all started in December 2014, when it became known that the launch of a new Chevrolet Niva may be delayed, and the reason was just the delay in the construction of the plant in the Special Economic Zone of Togliatti. But then the situation (at least for the uninitiated in detail) was far from a stalemate, especially since at the beginning of March 2015, seemingly positive news arrived: the government of the Samara Region was ready to help with the launch by providing guarantees for the joint venture to receive a preferential loan.
But literally in a couple of weeks it became clear that this would hardly help solve the current problems: the GM-AVTOVAZ joint venture and its subsidiary JV-Systems, which is building a new plant, terminated the contract with the general contractor.
The dispute between economic entities was widely covered in the press, but until now, by and large, the position of only one side is known - on March 13, a number of publications, citing sources in Avtozavodstroy, reported the following: GM-AVTOVAZ allegedly stopped financing the project in July 2014 (one year after the start of construction), after which the construction was carried out with the money of the general contractor - loans from VTB and Globex banks.
GM-AVTOVAZ was supposed to resume financing in December, but after some delays, in early March 2015, it announced the termination of the contract, leaving about 1-1.5 billion rubles in debt.
How the conflict looks from GM-AVTOVAZ
Firstly, according to the source, GM-AVTOVAZ is not a debtor of Avtozavodstroy OJSC. The general contractor has already received the entire amount under the contract - part in advance from GM-AVTOVAZ, and part from the bank, secured by a contract with JV-Systems. At the same time, Avtozavodstroy has its own debts - to GM-AVTOVAZ, banks and a number of other creditors.
Secondly, there are two main reasons for breaking the contract:
Failure to meet deadlines. In particular, the construction of the press shop was not fully completed, as a result of which it was not possible to start the installation of equipment on time.
Significant increase in project budget during construction. According to our source, the cost during construction increased by 1 billion rubles compared to the initial amount stipulated in the contract.
Thirdly, there are suspicions (and even, according to some statements, confirmation) among the managers of the GM-AVTOVAZ JV that part of the money under the contract was used for the construction of other facilities of Avtozavodstroy OJSC - for example, the general contractor used the land from the construction site of the plant during the construction of the Lada Arena hockey complex in Tolyatti.
What will happen to the plant for the new Chevrolet Niva
Despite a host of mutual claims, GM-AVTOVAZ is still ready to try to resolve the situation with Avtozavodstroy OJSC and come to an amicable agreement. On the contrary, Avtozavodstroy OJSC is going to sue the automaker if an agreement on the payment of debts is not reached during the bilateral conciliation commission. New contractors for the construction of the plant, according to some data, completed by 80-85%, GM-AVTOVAZ in this moment not looking.
How the situation will develop further, now no one dares to guess, perhaps. Real progress in resolving the dispute on the topic "who owes whom" should happen in 1-2 months, and until then the fate of the new car plant in the UAE Togliatti seems completely vague.
Recall new plant was supposed to include, in particular, a press and body shop, and for the new Niva, they planned to establish production of engines in Togliatti under license from PSA Peugeot-Citroen. The design output of the new Niva was about 120,000 pieces per year; new model within a few months it was supposed to replace the current Niva, which is now being assembled at the existing GM-AVTOVAZ sites in Togliatti with a monthly circulation of about 3,000 pieces.
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This is what the press and body shops of the plant under construction looked like in November 2014
What is happening now with the new Chevrolet Niva
For now test cars(actually "mules"-aggregate carriers) passed a series of tests, strictly adhering to the schedule. In particular, sea trials were completed in Italy, Spain, Sweden, a complex of extreme winter tests in Kogalym.
No serious deviations in the operation of units and assemblies were found, the tests went on as usual, with a full guarantee to end on time. According to our data, the full range of tests of the new Niva was to be completed in early 2016 - this date was set taking into account the production start-up schedule adjusted by six months, when it became clear that it would not be possible to launch the conveyor of the new plant before mid-2016.
However, as you know, the situation has since become even more complicated. As the RBC website wrote, the company is now looking for money, but our website also wrote about the fact that the government of the Samara region will take part in issuing a preferential loan for GM-AVTOVAZ.
Taking into account the position of the enterprise on the “construction conflict” voiced in this article, it can be assumed that money is needed not only and not so much for the completion of construction, but for the final phase of testing, preparation of documentation for transfer to production and many other needs that accompany the launch of the car in series .
At the same time, the position of GM-AVTOVAZ is now difficult - sales of the current Generations Niva are falling, and faster than the market shrinks during the crisis. AVTOVAZ, which supplies components for the assembly of off-road vehicles (body, power unit), is unlikely to support a long-term partner, because cooperation was to come to an end with the launch of the new Niva, which has its own production completely “untied” from AVTOVAZ.
But will there be this production now, especially considering the fact that another “big brother”, the GM concern, has actually announced the abandonment of the new Niva, confining itself to a statement that the production of the current Niva will continue? And can in the current difficult conditions"middle-aged" current Chevrolet Niva to save GM-AVTOVAZ?
hold on to the roots
Oddly enough, there are prerequisites for this. The Chevrolet Niva SUV, which has been produced since 2002, has theoretical chances to add in sales - just like its “sister”, the VAZ Lada 4 × 4, recently made it to the top of the market. Chevrolet Niva has a high localization of production (about 85%), and this circumstance, in the conditions of currency fluctuations, played into the hands of the GM people: as the head of the enterprise, Jeffrey Glover, noted, prices for the Niva rose by only 10%, while some other manufacturers producing SUVs in the budget segment, the price increase was about 30%. But that's not all - on March 18, 2015, Glover met with the governor of the Samara region, Nikolai Merkushkin, and as a result of this meeting, the government again expressed its readiness to support the project.
According to our information, GM-AVTOVAZ continues to operate as usual, assembling cars is carried out five days a week, according to a two-shift schedule, and no staff cuts are planned. We will monitor the development of the situation.
Chevrolet Niva 2018 model year in a new body is nothing more than the second generation of the sensational Russian SUV, which is about to enter the mass production and will appear in showrooms official dealer. This is not just about cosmetic restyling - the compact crossover will receive a completely 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 maintain their positions in the top sales in the 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 grille in the new Chevrolet Niva body - all optics will receive the same protection, except for 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.
You can’t recognize the novelty from the side either: a tapering line of side windows, branded rims molded in a new style, modified rear-view mirrors, completely different turn signal repeaters, as well as more comfortable handles on the door cards, 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 the 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 dashboard became definitely more informative, which, in addition to everything else, received an extension in the form of 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 previously scheduled for the 1st quarter of this year, due to the need for some improvements, it is delayed indefinitely. 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. The 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 1.8-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine producing 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 of the automotive press, independent experts and ordinary consumers - the 2018 Chevrolet Niva 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 an 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 the front bumper, a 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. Turquoise LED lighting will create a cozy atmosphere. 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 in this case will be 80 horsepower. 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 in the release of Chevrolet Niva 2 was the 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!
