Russia’s largest auto-maker AvtoVAZ has launched serial production of its first automatic-transmission cars in partnership with Japanese transmission-maker JATCo, AvtoVAZ said on Thursday.
AvtoVAZ plans to begin sales of automatic-transmission models of its economy-class Lada Granta sedan in August 2012 at a price of 373,000 rubles ($11,627). The company expects to produce 10,000 Granta automatic models this year and 70,000 in 2013.
"Simply said: the stronger you push, the faster you go," said Oleg Khramkov, head of AvtoVAZ's working group for automatic gear integration. "We have introduced a 'kick-down' option with the help of an electronic throttle pedal," he added.
AvtoVAZ is also likely to instal automatic transmission on its restyled Lada Kalina model, which will be presented at the Moscow automobile show in August 2012. The company plans to start restyled Kalina model production in Togliatti, where AvtoVAZ is based, in 2013.
AvtoVAZ, which has a history of being a loss-making enterprise and had huge debts until recently, has been able to improve its financial position and boost sales with the help of the state-backed 'cash-for-clunkers' program, which ended last year.
The company needs to produce modern and technologically advanced cars to successfully compete with foreign competition, as the Russian car market gradually opens to competition following the country’s entry into the World Trade Organization this year.
