As rumors swirl that struggling Detroit automakers will have to be bailed out by the government if they are to keep afloat, it comes as some irony that General Motors announced the opening of its St. Petersburg, Russia, factory earlier today. A feat that certainly would not have occurred as recently as the 1980s, the factory’s opening is of vital importance to General Motors – and, perhaps, United States-Russian relations.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev attended the opening ceremony held this afternoon just outside of St. Petersburg, where he commended GM’s economic cooperation with Russia.
“We are witnessing a project completed in spite of the financial problems which the world is facing today,” Medvedev said as he wrote “good luck” on the first Chevrolet Captiva to roll off the line.
The factory will build the Captiva and Opel Antara SUVs (essentially the same vehicle as the Saturn Vue sold in the U.S. and Canada), hot sellers in Russia despite dwindling SUV sales in North America and most of Europe.
In late 2009, the facility will build the Chevrolet Cruze, which won’t go on sale in the U.S. until 2010, the automaker announced in Detroit earlier today.
11/07, 4:07 PM
posted by:
DrFill
One of the few places where GM is selling and growing
Siberia might be the final frontier for GM
DrFill
11/07, 4:20 PM
posted by:
Borat
Can I have my Chaika in something different then black, comrade Putin?
11/07, 4:21 PM
posted by:
Borat
Those animalf*kers! They have cash on hand to last 5-6 weeks and they shifting it to Red Square!
11/07, 4:24 PM
posted by:
Borat
yarddog82abn, care to comment why is it good for US taxpayers, GM employers and Detroit’s representation of oldest profession?
11/07, 4:28 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
GM can run a commercial on Russian TV: Comrades Wanted. Da, da, da.
11/07, 4:38 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Thank goodness for Rocky Balboa. I was watching the historical account in Rocky IV last night and it’s obvious his efforts paved the way to make all this possible.
11/07, 4:59 PM
posted by:
Mutant@DCX
GDP 10,000 PPP. They must have some good credit, lets sell some trucks!
11/07, 9:17 PM
posted by:
Catiadesigner
This will just make me laugh even more when I see some stupid UAW bumper sticker telling me to keep handing money to the big three.
This is where it goes.
11/08, 12:59 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
Borat….
I do care to comment on this and I must say “WTF”!!!!!
I do not see how we can not export product out to Russia, the 3rd biggest oil producer in the world. Trust me there’s a lot of cash being handed under the table, you try to defend and stick up for your own and this is what they do to you, Russia WTF is that all about???
I know some will say the product that they sell in Russia is not the same we have state side, but if we buy there oil, maybe they need to see why we buy it… Russia WTF???
11/08, 2:39 PM
posted by:
deutschetouring1337
Ok to put this in perspective ask yourself why is GM asking for a $25Billion dollar bailout here in the US, BUT….opening factories abroad?