GM-AVTOVAZ to Increase Production of the Chevrolet Niva

GM-AVTOVAZ, the joint venture between General Motors and Russian carmaker AvtoVAZ, plans to increase output of its sole model, the Chevrolet Niva to 58 thousand units in 2011 from the 52 thousand cars initially planned because of growing demand, Jeffrey Glover, the joint venture's managing director, said. This represents a growth rate of 57% compared to the previous year. Daily output will be increased from current 224 to 266 vehicles in a two-shift operation. The car maker will hire an additional 100 employees to fulfill the production plan.

In August GM-AVTOVAZ plans to start equiping the Chevrolet Niva with optional ABS produced by Bosch and airbags produced by TRW.